§ 17. Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for War whether the consideration which he is now giving to the whole question of the pay and expenses of Army officers will be completed in time to permit of provision being made to improve their position in next year's Budget?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this matter.
§ Mr. PIRIEHow many years has this question of the reduction of officers' expenses been dangled before the country; and why is every suggestion that has been put forward for the practical reduction of officers' expenses put aside by the War Office as impracticable?
§ Colonel SEELYI believe the matter has been considered for a good many years. I think the time is rapidly approaching when something ought to be done.
§ Mr. PIRIEDoes not this delay give the country proper reasons for thinking that the War Office are playing with the question, and show as little desire for real reform as they do over the question of increased commissions from the ranks, which is also one of the hypothetical reforms which they advocate?
§ Sir H. CRAIKIs it not the case that the authorities charged by the right hon. Gentleman with the selection of officers have repeatedly reported to him the difficulty of finding officers owing to the insufficiency of the pay?
§ Colonel SEELYWith regard to the first supplementary question, I should not like it to be considered that we are playing with this question and not considering it.
§ Colonel SEELYI do not know anything about the past. With regard to the second supplementary question, no doubt there has been in the past a distinct shortage of 982 officers of the right class. As the hon. Gentleman (Sir H. Craik) is aware, that shortage does not exist for the moment. I must not be taken as saying that we do not consider that the matter requires consideration without undue delay. We are considering it.