§ Mr. ASTORasked the Secretary of State for War whether, under the order increasing the pay of officers in the Army captains are not to receive an increase of pay until they have had three years' service in the rank of captain as well as a total service of twelve years; whether, in the Artillery and regiments where promotion is slow, officers are frequently not promoted captain until they have served for twelve years and upwards; and whether it is proposed to remove the hardship that such officers should have to wait a further period of three years before receiving the increased pay, whereas, in the Cavalry and in regiments where promotion has been quick, captains receive the increased pay on a total service of twelve years?
§ Mr. H. BAKERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Promotion in the Cavalry and Infantry usually, and in the Royal Engineers and Army Service Corps always takes place before twelve years' service. This does not apply to the Royal Artillery. It is not practicable under our present system to equalise conditions in all arms.