Mr. NEWDEGATEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that since last January eight officers have left the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays); whether all the circumstances under which these officers have left their regiment are entirely satisfactory in every case from the point of view of the public service; whether throughout the year this regiment has been short of its proper complement of officers; and whether, in view of the present dearth of regimental officers, he will consider the advisability of holding an inquiry into the cause of the present shortage in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays)?
§ Colonel SEELYOf the eight officers mentioned one was promoted to command another cavalry regiment and another officer was permanently appointed to the Ordnance Department. The remaining six officers retired voluntarily: of these two had been passed over for promotion. There are at present four vacancies in the regiment. There would not appear to be any reasons for holding the inquiry suggested.