§ MR. J. WARDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to say if it is intended to secure commissioned appointments in the new Territorial Army for suitable non-commissioned officers who have passed through the ranks; whether it is proposed to make or issue any special orders or regulations as to the conditions under which such appointments will be offered; and, if so, could he indicate the lines upon which such orders or regulations will proceed.
§ MR. HALDANEThe granting of commissions to suitable non-commissioned officers is now a matter of common, occurrence in many volunteer corps and the practice will certainly be continued and encouraged under the new organisation. My hon. friend may rest assured that the non-commissioned ranks are far too valuable a source to be neglected in the effort to make up the deficient provision of officers for the Territorial Force. It is unnecessary to go into the question of issuing special orders or regulations on the subject at present.
§ MR. J. WARDAre no more special facilities to be given to the private in the Territorial Army to obtain a commission than have been given in the past?Are not the arrangements existing to be altered in any way?
§ MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the percentage of commissions given to men in the ranks has decidedly decreased of late?
§ MR. HALDANEThe number of commissions granted is affected by the fact that a large number of the men do not go on. It is impossible to make the profession of officer lucrative. But as to the notion that we are discouraging men to rise from the ranks to the position of officer, it is not true. In the Territorial Army we have large deficiencies of officers; and, to fill up the deficiencies, we are tempted to take officers from the ranks. There are a large number of officers in the Volunteers now who have passed through the ranks, and we hope that there will be as many in future.
§ MR. J. WARDIs it intended to increase the facilities in future?
§ MR. HALDANEWe are increasing the outfit allowance so as to diminish the cost to the men who become officers.
§ MR. PIRIECan the right hon. Gentleman explain the decrease in the percentage in the last two years?
§ MR. HALDANEDuring the war a great number of commissions were given all round, and a large number of men have resigned those commissions since. But there is no diminution and no desire 296 to encourage the diminution of the number of commissions given to men in the ranks. On the contrary, we are short of officers in the Regulars as in the Territorial Army, and it is not likely that we should do anything to close a source of supply.
§ MR. PIRIEIn view of the fact that this matter cannot be discussed on the Territorial Forces Bill will the right hon. Gentleman persuade the Government to give us another opportunity?
§ MR. HALDANEI hope it will be discussed to-day.
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! Notice must be given of further Questions.