MR. BOSCAWENI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that subalterns of Militia, who joined the force in order to obtain commissions in the Line, are unable to obtain them during embodiment, because their services are required with their Militia units, while at the same time a number of commissions are being given to the universities and public schools, to boys who have never done any soldiering, but who will now become their seniors in the Army; and whether the commissions given to Militia subalterns at the end of embodiment can be ante-dated, so that they shall not lose seniority through service in the Militia.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMMy hon. friend is under an entire misapprehension. The majority of the commissions given to Militia officers recently have been granted to officers while serving in embodied regiments and bear date prior to those given to the university candidates, who, it should be remembered, are all over twenty years of age. No commissions 781 have as yet been given to any public school boys.
MR. BOSCAWENI want to know not what has been done, but what is going to be done with reference to those subalterns now serving in the Militia, in many cases abroad, who are unable to come home and prepare for examination, and in many cases may not be able to compete at all.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMThat is not the question on the Paper. It deals with embodied subalterns. But I hope in a very few days to publicly announce a modification of the conditions of examination on the lines laid down by the Member for South East Essex, namely, a proportionate number of marks for service of embodiment.
MR. BOSCAWENAnd may I ask that the announcement may be made as soon as possible, in view of the great interest taken in this subject?
§ *MR. WYNDHAMThe hon. Member need not ask that. The scheme is being worked at two or three hours daily.