§ MR. ARTHUR ARNOLDasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, having regard to the fact that of the four Officers holding the rank of Field Marshal, two are of advanced age, and two are members of the Royal Family, who from relation to the Throne or from other circumstances may probably not 1639 be available for belligerent command, he will recommend that in the proposed appointment to the rank of Field Marshal an effective officer should be selected?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThe Question of my hon. Friend seems to be based on the assumption that it is desirable that an officer holding a command in the field should have the rank of Field Marshal. On the contrary, I should be disposed to say that circumstances might easily arise in which we should be deterred from selecting an officer for command in war by the fact of his holding Field Marshal's rank; but if it became desirable to give the rank the officer in command could always have it bestowed on him. The distinction has always been given as a reward for long and distinguished service, and I see no reason for changing the practice.