§ Lieut.-Colonel Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange, as was done after the last war, to allow officers appointed to commissions from the ranks of the Regular Army to commute their retired pay at their discretion for a lump sum payment to enable them to make a start in business when their services are no longer required in the Army; and whether such arrangements will be published before the cessation of hostilities, so that these officers may be able to plan their future careers.
§ Sir J. GriggA Regular soldier promoted to an emergency commission and eligible for retired pay has not the option of receiving a gratuity instead. I am aware that officers similarly situated in the last war had the option of a gratuity, but this option proved unsatisfactory and I do not consider that its re-introduction is desirable.