HC Deb 08 March 1883 vol 276 cc1741-2
MR. GREER

asked the Secretery of State for War, Whether it is a fact that on the 1st January, 1883, the approximate average service of the senior subalterns of the Cavalry regiments was six years eleven and a-half months; Infantry of the Line was eight years nine and a-half months; Royal Artillery was nine years five months; Royal Engineers was twelve years; and, if so, considering that the rate of promotion of subalterns to the rank of Captain in the Royal Engineers is about three years slower than in the other combatant branches of the Army, and considering also that the senior subalterns of the Royal Engineers have already been superseded by about 600 officers of other branches of the service, whether it is the intention of the Government to take steps to place the subalterns of the corps in a better position as regards promotion?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Sir, I have no reason to question the accuracy of the facts stated by the hon. Member. The question whether it is necessary to accelerate promotion in the junior ranks of the Royal Engineers is under consideration. But I desire to point out that slow promotion in the subaltern's rank does not injure Engineer officers to the same extent as it would injure officers in any other branch of the Service, because, whatever may be the current rate of promotion in the corps, every Engineer officer is entitled under the Royal Warrant to be promoted to the rank of major after 20 years' service. He consequently is saved from all chances of permanent or temporary retirement, to which all other officers are subject at 40 years of age; and would then probably recover any supersession which he may have suffered in consequence of the slow rate of promotion in the subaltern's rank.