asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, when examining the position as regards the promotion of officers in the Royal Artillery, he will bear in mind the abnormal number of compulsory retirements of majors in this arm, although recommended by their immediate superiors, which have taken place during the past three years; and will he consider allowing the officers concerned to participate in any special terms to be offered to artillery officers to induce further retirements?

I regret that I can hold out no hope of applying special terms to officers who have already been retired or placed on half-pay on supersession.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the position of these officers is exceptional and that during the last three years the selection boards have, in effect, developed into an unofficial axe?

The object of giving the inducement is to create vacancies, and I do not see how vacancies can be created when the people have already retired.