§ 75. Mr. STEWARTasked the Under-Secretary for War whether Regular captains of the Royal Artillery while in command of batteries in the field doing majors' work are seldom if ever given temporary rank and pay whilst so employed; wether this privilege is frequently accorded to officers in the Reserve; and whether he can see his way to grant similar privileges to officers serving at the front?
§ Mr. TENNANTA captain can only be said to be performing the duties of a major when he is commanding a six-gun battery, but this occurs only rarely and as a temporary measure. If when the hon. Member speaks of this privilege being frequently accorded to officers of the Reserve he is referring to the case of six-gun batteries at home, I may inform him that these officers are unfit for batteries at the front for various reasons, and their promotion does not prejudice the position of those abroad.