HC Deb 31 May 1897 vol 49 cc1619-20
COLONEL WYNDHAM MURRAY (Bath)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, on what principles appointments to the Staff of the Army in India are made; and what are the numbers of Staff officers employed with that Army who come under the following Reads respectively: officers trained at the Staff College; officers trained by practical experience in campaigns; and officers without special training for Staff duties?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

Speaking generally, an officer is eligible for appointment to the Staff in India if he has four years' service, has passed the necessary examination in the native languages, has gone through the Staff College, or has passed the qualifying examination laid down in Indian Army Regulations, or has proved his ability in the field. Subject to these conditions, the selection of officers for Staff employ rests with the Government of India and the Commander-in-Chief in India.

CAPTAIN PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what is the total number of appointments on the Army Headquarter Staff, Command Staff, and District Staff of the Army in India; and the number of such appointments which are held respectively by Officers P.S.C. and by Officers not so qualified?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

Excluding personal staff, and the staff for Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and musketry instruction, there are 142 appointments on the Staff of Army Headquarters, Army commands, and districts; of these 36 are held by officers who have passed through the Staff College and two are vacant. The rest are hold by officers who have not passed through the Staff College.

CAPTAIN PIRIE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the number of Officers P.S.C. of the Indian Staff Corps who are employed on staff duty at present, also the number of the same who are not so employed, and the average period for which these latter have remained without such employment after qualifying for it by passing through the Staff College?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

There are at present on the active list 30 officers of the Indian Staff Corps who have passed through the Staff College; of these 20 are in Staff employ, five are commanding their regiments, and five are employed regiment ally. I cannot say how long these officers have remained without Staff employment.