§ MAJOR EVANS-GORDON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the rate of promotion for officers in the corps of Royal Engineers; whether he is aware that by the Gradation List of January last it appears that senior majors, captains and lieutenants, and second lieutenants in the Engineers are passed over respectively by 100, 120, 700, and 1,600 officers originally their juniors; and whether, seeing that in a mixed force of different arms a Royal Engineer officer who might be the best fitted to command would have to act under an officer of less service, it is proposed to take steps similar to those taken in the Indian Army to deal with this state of affairs.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The question of the promotion of the captains and lieutenants of Royal Engineers has already received my attention. Owing to the war and other causes promotion has been greatly accelerated in other branches of the service, somewhat to the effect stated in the Question, but it must be borne in mind that these causes are abnormal, and reactionary effect may be expected. The matter will, however, be again considered when matters regarding promotion are in a more normal condition.