Major WHITEasked the Secretary of State for War whether the regulation relating to the former Volunteer Force, that an officer who had risen from the ranks of that Force would only be entitled to count half his service in the ranks towards the twenty years necessary for the Volunteer Officers' Decoration, still applied to such officers now serving with the Territorial Force; and, if so, with a view to the encouragement of such men, whether he could see his way to amend such regulation?
§ Mr. HALDANEThis regulation still applies to the officers mentioned. The decoration was intended to be a special 528 reward for officers as far as possible for service as such, and the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion would entirely defeat this object, and cannot therefore be entertained.