§ MR. DIXON-HARTLAND (Middlesex, Uxbridge)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, assuming that Major Roe is not able to do the duties in the 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers which he has actually performed for three years, it is a fact that the remaining seven captains are so inefficient that none of them are fit for promotion, although the drill and discipline of the battalion has been reported to be in the highest state of efficiency up to the date of the honourable Charles Edgcumbe's resignation of the command in 1887; and, whether officers of the Militia are to understand that a certificate from a School of Instruction is not ipso facto official proof of military competency?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)I do not think it is desirable that through the medium of Question and Answer a discussion should be carried on as to the relative merits of officers of the Army. I may, however, inform my hon. Friend that two of the captains referred to are not recommended for promotion; and that the remaining five have not yet passed the prescribed examination. The answer to the second part of the Question is given by paragraph 42, Militia Regulations, 1886, which lays down that—
It is extremely desirable that officers should attend a School of Instruction to learn their duty thoroughly; but the possession of a certificate from a School of Instruction will give 1544 no claim to promotion, irrespective of other qualifications which are necessary for superior rank.