HC Deb 02 December 1908 vol 197 cc1450-1
CAPTAIN FABER

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state what number of officers have been transferred to the Inniskilling Dragoons from other regiments since October, 1906; what special reason exists for transferring so many; from what regiments were they transferred; what the rank of each transferred officer was; and whether, having regard to the hardship thereby inflicted, there is to be any relaxation of the rule whereby an officer has to retire in the event of his not having attained a certain rank by a certain age.

MR. HALDANE

Since October, 1906, seven officers have been brought into this regiment which contained a number of officers who had abnormally short service or were not qualified for promotion. Two captains were transferred, one being promoted to major, four lieutenants, one being promoted to captain, and one second lieutenant. These officers came one from 5th Dragoon Guards, two from Royal Artillery, and four from Northumberland Fusiliers. There is very little likelihood of any of the officers affected by these transfers having to retire for age, the senior captain having fourteen years in which to attain his majority and the lieutenants, other than those brought in, being also proportionately young for their positions.

EARL WINTERTON

In view of the wide difference of opinion that prevails on this subject, will the right hon. Gentleman recommend the Army Council to issue a Memorandum dealing with the whole subject of the transfer of officers of the Line to cavalry regiments?

MR. HALDANE

These things must be decided entirely on the merits of the officers. I cannot say what the standard of qualification should be.

CAPTAIN FABER

Has not the character of the Inniskilling Dragoons been good?

MR. HALDANE

Oh, yes, excellent; but the difficulty arose from the number of officers with abnormally short service or not qualified for promotion.

CAPTAIN FABER

Would it not be better to put the whole service on an equality?

MR. HALDANE

said the difficulty would not have arisen had the Inniskillings had their full quota of officers.