§ 21, 22 and 23. Colonel Sir ARTHUR HOLBROOKasked the Secretary of State for War (1) if any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the conditions of half pay for officers in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps;
(2)what steps are being taken to reduce the surplus strength of major-generals in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and whether he is aware that there are two such officers surplus to establishment whose retention is retarding the promotion of junior officers;
(3)if the two major-generals surplus to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps establishment are paid as and reckoned on the lists of colonels on the establishment of that corps; and, if so, why do they not receive similar treatment as regards the conditions of half-pay as other colonels on the establishment?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe two Major-Generals referred to by the hon. and gallant Member were promoted substantive Major-Generals for distinguished service. They are not surplus to to the establishment of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, but are holding appointments as Colonels, which they would have filled if they had not been promoted. Their retention is not, therefore, retarding the promotion of junior officers. I do not understand what conditions of half-pay for officers of the 2129 Royal Army Veterinary Corps the hon. and gallant Member refers to, but if he will let me have fuller details I shall be happy to look into the matter further.