§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S. )I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Brigade of Guards is short by thirty to forty of its full complement of officers; has any proposal been before the authorities to admit young officers on probation to fill up these vacancies without the usual entrance examination or military training; if so, on what reasons was that proposal based; and whether an undertaking will be given that officers shall not enter the Brigade of Guards in a manner different from the way in which other branches of the Army are entered.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W. )The shortage of officers in the Foot Guards is forty-four. This deficiency is very serious and is receiving the careful consideration of the Army Council. I am not at present, in a position to give the hon. Member any further information on the subject.