Lieut.-Colonel PINKHAMasked the Secretary of State for War if he will explain why a lientenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps is promoted to captain after 3½ years' service, and a captain to major after a further nine years, or a total of 12½ years' service, whilst a lieutenant in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps is not promoted to captain until he has five years' service, and to major after a further ten years, or a total of fifteen 3'ears' service; and will he take steps to have the officers of both these corps placed under entirely the same conditions as to promotions and rates of pay?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe time promotion qualifications for the Royal Army Medical Corps, and Royal Army Veterinary Corps laid down in the Royal Warrant for Pay, &c., were made in accordance with the requirements of the service and of the Corps concerned. It is not at present contemplated to alter the existing conditions. It is found by experience that it is necessary for corps to vary somewhat as regards conditions for promotion and rates of pay according to the requirements of each.