§ 13. Colonel Sir A. SPROTasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that certain brigade majors of Territorial brigades received in writing on their appointment about two years ago a promise that they were to hold their appointments for four years; and if it is intended to keep faith with these officers, who are now being warned that their appointments are to terminate?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI am aware that certain Brigade Majors of Territorial Brigades were told that their appointments would be "permanent appointments," i.e., appointments the normal tenure of which is for four years. I regret that it has been necessary to abolish the majority of these appointments in the interests of economy. The officers effected will be dealt with under Article 206 of the Royal Warrant, which provides that on the abolition of a staff appointment of which the ordinary tenure is four years the officer holding it may, provided he has not served the full period for which he was appointed, receive his staff pay for a period of 61 days beyond the date of ceasing to do duty.
§ Captain GEEIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that many of these officers, including the A.D.M.S., were civilians who gave up large and lucrative 202 practices in order to fulfil these engagements, which have been broken?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI am aware that there are certain cases of hardship.