§ MR. BRODIE (Surrey, Reigate)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state on what grounds are first commissions in the Royal Field Artillery allotted according to a different system from that in force in allotting first commissions in the Royal Engineers, or vice versa.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The commissions in the Royal Engineers are allotted to cadets in the order in which they pass out of the academy, assuming that the highest on the list elect for the Royal Engineers. The remainder of the cadets get Royal Artillery commissions, the selection for Field Artillery being made according to the marks obtained in the subjects of Field Artillery drill; riding, and horsemastership. This system is the result of very careful consideration, and would appear to provide the most suitable officers for the Field Artillery.