HC Deb 26 March 1900 vol 81 cc313-4
SIR J. FERGUSSON (Manchester, N. E.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War will he state how many first commissions in the Army have been granted without competition in the last six months; and, in particular, how many to each of the following classes:—non-commissioned officers; candidates in recent competitions who qualified but were not successful; from the Militia, and if any of these had not undergone two trainings; on the recommendation of the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and otherwise; how many in the same period have been obtained by cadets from the Royal Military Academy and Royal Military College; and how many direct commissions it is proposed to give to the Militia, the Volunteers, the Yeomanry, the Malta regiment, the colonies, the universities, the public schools, and the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa respectively.

*MR. WYNDHAM

The number of first commissions in the Army granted without competition during the last six months (September to February) was 364. Eighty-four were given to the ranks, sixty-six to university candidates after a qualifying examination, and the remainder to Militia officers, most of whom had served during two trainings. No recommendations have as yet been received from the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa. During the same period 140 commissions have been given to the cadets of the Royal Military Academy and 231 to the cadets of the Royal Military College. The number of direct com- missions to the Regular forces to be offered are:—

To the Militia … 312
" Volunteers … 172
" Malta Artillery … 2
" Malta Militia … 4
" Yeomanry … 20
" Colonies … 276
" Universities … 345
" Public Schools … 30
" Lord Roberts … 50
Total … 1,211
It must be understood, however, that these numbers are subject to minor variations depending on the way in which our offers are taken up.

SIR J. FERGUSSON

May I ask whether these 1,200 commissions will be given in supersession of the cadets' claims?

*MR. WYNDHAM

We have debated that point, and I think I have said all I have to say on the subject.