§ MR. THORNE (West Ham, S.)To ask the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Colonel Walsh, head of the recruiting staff at St. George's Barracks, has appointed a lady recruiting sergeant, and that the authorities have sent her a recruiting sergeant's cockade; whether he has given his sanction to this; and, if so, will the lady recruiting receive the same salary as the male recruiting sergeants.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) It is quite true that a lady has been instrumental in sending candidates for enlistment to St. George's Barracks. The chief recruiting staff officer has, consistently with the recruiting regulations, considered her as entitled to be regarded as an agent. She does not receive the regimental pay and allowances of recruiting sergeants, but is paid the regular recruiting rewards given to all recruiting agents for successes. Colonel Walsh gave the lady, as a compliment, a recruiting rosette, a gift which has not involved any public expenditure. I think we may congratulate ourselves, especially at the present moment, when we find ladies selecting such useful ends for their great activities.