§ * MR. COCHRANE (Ayrshire, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in the recent qualifying examination for commissions in the Army, 326 candidates presented themselves for examination, and only 113, of whom twelve had previously served in the Militia, succeeded in satisfying the examiners; whether the examination tests have been rendered more severe, and, if not, in view of the shortage of officers, what steps he proposes to take to fill the vacancies.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) HaddingtonThe figures stated in the Question are correct, except that it is not known how many previously served in the Militia. The standard of examination was no higher than usual. There is practically no shortage of officers at the present moment sufficient to justify any special measures.