§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the officer who has been appointed Inspector-General of Cavalry in India was passed over seventeen times for promotion?
§ Colonel SEELYEight of this officer's juniors were promoted before he was selected for promotion.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONWas he promoted because of his merits?
§ Colonel SEELYOh, certainly; singular merit is always rewarded.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONThen why was he passed over?
§ Colonel SEELYWell, I suppose because there were other people of more singular merit; but in all seriousness, anyone who knows the qualifications of the officer referred to knows he is a most distinguished officer, and has had a most distinguished career.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONWhy was he passed over then?
§ Colonel SEELYFor the reasons I have given.
§ Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSONWhen will the right hon. Gentleman study the duties of the office to which he has been appointed so recently?