HC Deb 28 June 1909 vol 7 c7
Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

asked the Secretary of State for War, what steps he is taking to fill up the thousand or more vacancies among the officers of the Special Reserve.

Mr. HALDANE

No special steps are being taken in regard to this matter beyond what have been taken under the regulations. As I have informed the House on a previous occasion, I hope to obtain candidates for the Special Reserve of officers from the Officers Training Corps.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

May I take it that the Special Reserve will for some time longer remain some thousand short?

Mr. HALDANE

Of course, I cannot say for certainty. It was contemplated from the very beginning that it would be so; but I cannot say for certain. I do not know how the new Officers Training Corps will turn out, but there is nothing to make us uneasy about it.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

How long will the shortage remain?

Mr. HALDANE

The Officers' Training College is designed to put that right, and I hope it will do so.