§ EARL WINTERTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether twelve officers of the Northumberland Fusiliers have been notified that they will be compulsorily transferred to other regiments without compensation; and, if so, what are the reasons for this departure from the policy previously laid down.
§ MR. LAMBTON (Durham, S. E.)At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for War if the Army Council is about to transfer a large number of officers from the Northumberland Fusiliers and other regiments; whether consideration will be paid to the great expense which will be incurred by such officers in removals and outfits; and if the fact that many officers have sacrificed Army seniority to join these regiments on account of territorial and family associations will be recognised.
§ MR. HALDANEThe reduced regiments have a large excess of officers over Establishment. So far, very few officers have volunteered for transfer to other regiments, and in the interests of the reduced regiments, the Army Council have deemed it expedient to resort to compulsory transfer. Officers so transferred will be compensated for any necessary expense entailed in change of uniform.
§ MR. LAMBTONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my Question?
§ MR. HALDANEYes; that point will be considered and taken into account.
§ MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)On what basis will the compensation be calculated?
§ MR. HALDANEThey will be compensated for any expense involved by the change of uniform. That is the general principle, and any specially hard case will be considered.