§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he can state how many commissions in the Army have been, since the commencement of the present war in South Africa, granted to gentlemen who have not passed any military examination, and on what principle of selection have these commissions without examina- 266 tion been granted, and can he say out of the total number of commissions thus granted how many have been given in the Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, Household regiments, Cavalry, and regiments of the Line respectively.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMThe numbers of commissions granted without examination are as follow:—Engineers, nil; Artillery, 266; Cavalry, 139; Guards, 31; Infantry, 657; total, 1,093. Two commissions were offered to each battalion of Militia; the candidates were nominated by the commanding officers and recommended through the General Officer commanding. In the Volunteers a certain number were offered to each district, nominations resting with the General Officer commanding. A certain number were offered to the Universities, the nominations resting with the University authorities. Commissions were offered to various colonies, the nominations being placed in the hands of Governors in consultation with the Imperial Officers commanding the Colonial forces. Some were placed at the disposal of Lord Roberts. Promotions from the ranks to commissions were also made, some being recommended by Lord Roberts.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLCan the hon. Gentleman say approximately how many promotions there have been from the ranks?
§ *MR. WYNDHAMWe have not got the total number of promotions from the ranks. Fifty commissions were specially allotted to Lord Roberts in addition to any promotions he might recommend for distinguished services on the field. We have not yet got his recommendations.