§ MR. WOOD (Down, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if an appointment has been made to the position of sergeant-major in the Royal Irish Fusiliers, now stationed at Holy-wood, county Down; whether the sergeant-major appointed holds a first class certificate, and will he state his nationality; and whether, in view of the fact that there is a colour-sergeant in the regiment holding the necessary qualifications for the position, he will explain why he was not appointed.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.I am not aware of the case mentioned. The selection of sergeant-majors rests with the local military authorities, with whose discretion the War Office does not interfere, except to secure that, before the warrants are issued, the men selected are properly qualified according to the regulations. No application for a warrant for this man has reached the War Office.