§ Mr. THOMASasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is customary for a soldier of non-commissioned rank to be reduced to the rank of private for no other reason than that of age; whether he is aware that Private R. F. Varney, No. 544, 1st Middlesex Regiment, was promoted lance-sergeant (paid) 25th January, 1915, promoted to sergeant 26th September, 1915, but was reduced to the rank of private on 13th September, 1916, because he was forty-five years old; and, in view of the injustice of a practice of this kind, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am making inquiries into the case mentioned by my hon. Friend, and will inform him of the result.