§ COLONEL NOLANasked the Secretary of State for War, If he would direct that all vacancies arising in the rank of sub-lieutenant from the deaths of officers with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force should be filled mainly from non-commissioned officers employed with that Army?
§ MR. CHILDERSMy hon. and gallant Friend appears not to have noticed that there is now no such rank as sub-lieutenant. But, as to the object of his Question, I may say that I have already since I took Office authorized the number of promotions from the ranks to a lieutenant's commission to be doubled; but I could not adopt any rule under which all or most of the vacancies arising from deaths of officers in the Egyptian Expedition would have to be filled by non-commissioned officers. The Commander-in-Chief will, of course, pay due attention to every recommendation to this effect which he may receive from the General Officer commanding.