§ MR. H. S. NORTHCOTEasked the Secretary of State for War, If his attention has been called to the unsatisfactory position of the Military Foremen of Works (Engineers' Department) as regards promotion; if it is a fact that all the Surveyors and Assistant Surveyors in this department are civilians, and that, consequently, no member of the Military branch of the department can obtain a higher position in the service than that of Serjeant Major, although some of these men have served in that capacity for a period of sixteen years; whether this branch of the service is not the only one in which Quartermasters' Commissions are not attainable as a reward for long and faithful service; and, whether the War Office will consider the possibility of taking some steps to remove the grievances of which these men complain?
MR. BRANDYes, Sir; the attention of the Secretary of State for War has been called to the position of Military Foremen of Works as regards promotion. At present the Surveyors and Assistant Surveyors are all civilians appointed after open competition. The examination is open to the Military Foremen of Works, some of whom have competed, but hitherto unsuccessfully. There are three Military Foremen of Works, who have been sergeants-major for more than 10 years. There are no quartermasters in the Department itself; but these warrant officers are eligible for selection for promotion as quartermasters in the Army generally. The Secretary of State is giving consideration to this matter, with a view to admitting to the higher grades of the Department qualified and meritorious warrant officers.