§ MR. RADCLIFFE COOKEasked the Secretary of State for War, whether it is the case that, by Army Order 143 of 1889, the examinations in tactics, fortifications, military law, and topography, which Line Officers have to pass in. order to qualify for promotion, have been thrown open to Militia Officers and Volunteers of equivalent rank; whether it is the case that the examination in tactics may be taken separately, but that the other three subjects must be taken up together, not separately; whether it is a fact that these examinations are considered of sufficient difficulty to warrant Line Officers being struck off all duty and sent to garrison courses of four months' duration to be coached up by garrison instructors before passing them; and, whether, having regard to the difficulty of these 1703 examinations, he will direct that each subject may be taken up separately, so that, for example, an Officer may pass in tactics in May 1889, in law in December 1889, in fortification in May 1890, and in topography in December 1890.
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEThe answer to the first two questions is in the affirmative. Line officers are allowed if they wish it to have a two months' course of garrison instruction, as their promotion depends upon their passing. Line officers are not allowed to take up the subjects separately. The reason why an exception has been made in favour of Volunteer officers as regards tactics is because a special capitation allowance is granted for each officer of Volunteers who has passed his examination in tactics. It is not desirable that the examinations should be further subdivided.