§ MR. LEES KNOWLES (Salford, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the existing difficulty in obtaining recruits, he will take into favourable consideretion a proposal to form a battalion essentially composed of Army candidates who, having failed in scoring sufficient marks for commissions, can pass the medical examination; and whether he will give, by Return or otherwise, information as to the number of such candidates who have entered the ranks, and with what results, especially with regard to promotion?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEThe proposal to form a corps of gentlemen has been very carefully considered on previous 1932 occasions, but for various reasons the Military Authorities have not thought themselves able to recommend its adoption. It is not one that I have myself personally considered, and I will look into it. There are no records at the War Office of the after career of candidates for commissions who have failed to obtain them.