§ MR. FETHERSTONHAUGHTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a line colour-sergeant posted to service on a Militia staff, and found unsuitable for the duty thereon, actually gains an increase of the pay he would be drawing on the Militia staff by being sent back to his own battalion; and will he say if a line colour-sergeant by being posted to a Militia battalion, in addition to getting one shilling a day less pay, loses chances of promotion in his own battalion, although the duties of a colour-sergeant 1211 posted to the Militia are More troublesome than his duties in a line battalion in dealing with less disciplined soldiers and in connection with recruiting.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) A colour-sergeant of the permanent staff, if found to be inefficient, is usually reverted to the line battalion as a sergeant. If reverted as a colour-sergeant, he would get an increase of pay of 6d. a day. He is eligible for promotion in his own battalion, and also in his Militia battalion. As I informed the hon. Member on the 21st instant,† the duties of a Militia colour-sergeant are not considered as onerous and responsible as those of a line colour-sergeant.