§ Mr. HOGGEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can see his way to remove the distinction of honorary rank for quartermasters, riding masters, and officers of the Indian Department?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONQuartermasters, as such, are commissioned in the Land Forces. The commission itself confers no rank, and the honorary rank is derived from the Royal Warrant. Officers holding such honorary rank have peculiar benefits in the matter of pay and retired pay, and they are not required to pass professional examinations. On the other hand, they are not permitted to exercise executive command except in relation to soldiers immediately concerned with the duties of their office. To consider the variation of the existing status of quartermasters is not practicable or desirable at the present time, nor is it clear that quartermasters as a class would benefit by the proposed changes. I must refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India in regard to the officers mentioned in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. HOGGEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the recent Committee on promotion recommended that quartermasters should be promoted captains after three years' service but without emoluments?
§ Mr. ForsterThe Pay of quartermaster is governed by length of service as quartermasters, and not by rank