§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether a number of non-commissioned officers of the permanent staff. Army Pay Corps, have been selected for appointment to the local rank of staff quartermaster-sergeant without the pay and allowances of the rank; whether, in view of the important supervising duties on which these non commissioned officers would be engaged, he will favourably consider granting the pay and allowances of the rank in question, especially having regard to the fact that they have served the time required, acting rank included, to qualify under the Royal Warrant for pay; and whether the future promotion of a non-commissioned officer would be prejudiced if he declined to accept higher rank with added responsibilities without the higher pay and allowances?
§ Mr. FORSTERI understand that a number of non-commissioned officers of the Army Pay Corps have been wrongly allowed to wear the badges of a rank to which they have not been promoted, and are not by Regulation entitled. This will be corrected. Pay and allowances can be given only in accordance with Regulation. The last part of the question does not arise.