§ MR. BAINBRIDGE () Lincolnshire, GainsboroughI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers, irrespective of rank or service, applying personally to see the Military Secretary or his Assistant Military Secretary with a view to employment in South Africa, are refused an interview, and that the messengers have orders not to take the cards of officers so applying to either of these officials; and can he arrange for some modification of this refusal to grant interviews, in view of the deficiencies of officers in South Africa.
*MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMSThe number of officers applying for interviews with the Military Secretary and Assistant Military Secretary at a time like the present is such that if these officials were to grant interviews in all cases it would be impossible for them to attend to their duties, which already occupy their time very fully. In ordinary cases the objects of the applications can be stated without difficulty in writing. The statement that messengers have orders not to take the cards of officers applying personally to either of these officials is not correct.