§ GENERAL LAURIEI beg to ask the Lender Secretary of State for War whether Militia officers competing in examinations for commissions in the Line in September next will be required to pass in literary and scientific subjects, and so give advantage to those stationed in large garrisons who can attend garrison classes of instruction, or to those in large centres of population where they can obtain private tuition, as compared with those officers at out stations where such arrangements are not practicable; and, whether, as a number of young men have been given commissions lately without any examination, who have had no military training, solely on the recommendation of the heads of institutions which 438 they are attending for purposes of education, he can see his way to accept the recommendation of the Commanding Officer as to the literary qualification of all such Militia officers, and confine competitive subjects to those military matters in which all officers wherever stationed will have an equal chance.
MR. J. POWELL WILLIAMS (for Mr. WYNDHAM)The arrangements in regard to the examinations referred to are under consideration and will, it is hoped, be published at an early date.
§ GENERAL LAURIEMay I hope that the officers serving with the Militia battalions in South Africa will receive the same consideration as is granted to other, officers?
§ [No answer was returned.]