§ Captain GILMOURasked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the names of the members of the committee which decided to substitute sergeants for sergeant-majors for the permanent staff in the Yeomanry; and if he can say what steps the committee took to ascertain the views of commanding officers of Regular Cavalry and of Yeomanry regiments before coming to their decision?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe names are as follows:—
I think it is clear from the composition of this committee that the views of the officers concerned in the matter mentioned were adequately represented.
- General Sir Ian Hamilton.
- Brevet-Colonel W. G. Carter.
- Lieut.-Colonel A. Crawford.
- Colonel H. Denison.
- Lieut.-General Sir W. H. Mackinnon.
- Brigadier-General A. J. Murray.
- Colonel G. R. C. Paul.
- Mr. W. P. Perry.
- Brigadier-General H. A. Raitt.
- Colonel the Earl of Scarborough.
- Colonel A. T. F. Simpson.
§ Captain GILMOURWere the Yeomanry colonels consulted in the matter? It is a question Which vitally affects them.
§ Mr. HALDANEThere are several Yeomanry officers here, and a great many were consulted, and I am informed that the opinion of the majority of those who were consulted was very clearly in this direction.
§ Captain GILMOURWere colonels for all the regiments given some opportunity of expressing their views?
§ Mr. HALDANENo; we know how benevolent people are about old-established institutions, and it would not have-done to take a census of everybody.
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHWas it the consideration of numbers which made the right hon. Gentleman come to the conclusions?
§ Mr. HALDANEIt was not a consideration of numbers, but a consideration of the interests of the force. It is a matter of efficiency.
§ Viscount HELMSLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman think sergeants will be more efficient than sergeant-majors?
§ Mr. HALDANECertainly some sergeants will be more efficient than some sergeant-miajors.