§ SIR GEORGE FARDELL (Paddington, S.)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of Army Order No. 275, dealing with the promotion of officers beyond the rank of lieutenant-colonel, it will in future be possible to inform officers at the time of their com-
†See (4) Debates, clxix., 1447.214 pleting their term of employment as lieutenant-colonel whether they are on the list of officers selected for further employment, and thus permit them to retire immediately if there is no intention of employing them in the rank of colonel.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The desirability of giving the information suggested in the Question is fully recognised by the War Office. It is hoped that when the new system of promotion is in full working order this will be found practicable, but until the present large list of colonels is considerably reduced it is feared that it will not be possible.