§ MR. HEDGESTo ask the Secretary of State for War, whether Clause 65 of the Army Order of 23rd December, 1907, is intended to convey to officers of the Militia transferring to the Special Reserve that they will be junior for command and precedence to regular officers, irrespective of the age, experience, and active service of these Militia officers; and, if so, what opportunities will be open to them for promotion if their position is thus permanently junior to the regular part of the establishment, as laid down in Appendices V. and VI.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) For command and precedence officers of the Special Reserve will, as such, be junior of their rank to regular officers on the active service list. As regards promotion, that of the regular officers on the active list who are on the Third or Special Reserve battalion will run through the First and Second line battalions. The promotion of the Special Reserve officers will run, inter se, through the Third or Special Reserve battalion only.