§ Captain Markhamasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now come to a decision on the representations that have been made to him concerning the loss of acting or temporary rank and pay and of staff pay by officers who have been wounded, taken prisoners of war, or selected for staff courses?
§ Captain MargessonOfficers who are made prisoners of war already retain during their captivity any higher paid acting or temporary rank which was held at the time of capture. Where an officer is wounded while holding such rank, it has now been decided that he may retain it while unfit for up to three months from the date of his removal from duty on account of wounds. In the case of officers selected for staff courses, there is no present intention of altering the existing rule under which such officers relinquish any higher acting or temporary rank they may hold unless their absence from their unit will not exceed 21 days. Any alteration of this rule could only be at the expense of the officer performing the duty in the unit for which the acting or temporary rank is given, who is at present entitled to the paid rank if he performs the duty for more than 21 days. Staff pay is a supplement to regimental pay which is admissible only while an officer is filling a staff appointment.