§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the highest grades of the noncommissioned ranks are now restricted to men holding first-class certificates of education; and whether this restriction is found to limit too much the area of choice for promotion to those grades, or to act unfairly towards non-commissioned officers of practical experience who from the important nature of their duties cannot find the time for attendance at school?
§ * MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANAppointment to the rank of warrant officer and to a small number of select posts held by non-commissioned officers can only be obtained by men with first-class certificates of education. This Rule was introduced in 1888, but a relaxation was granted as regards all candidates who were then non-commissioned officers. I am informed that the Rule has worked well. It has not unduly limited the area of choice, nor can it be said to have acted unfairly towards non-commissioned officers of practical experience, though it may have prevented some such men from obtaining posts for which they were not educationally qualified. It would be undesirable to hold out any hope of the relaxation of the Rule.