§ Mr. FERENS (on behalf of Mr. Guy Wilson)asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that officers in cyclist battalions are being required to pass the examinations prescribed for infantry officers and not examined in their own branch of training, and that such officers have consequently to spend a great amount of time in learning infantry work, which they have no opportunity of practising, 1176 and to the sacrifice of that for which they are specally organised; whether, the War Office will alter the system in this respect; and whether, pending fresh regulations, the present method will be discontinued?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)Officers of cyclist battalions are required to pass the same examination for promotion as other infantry officers; in addition, a second lieutenant of cyclist battalions, before promotion to the rank of lieutenant, is required to pass an examination on parts of cyclist training. There is no infantry work which the cyclist may not be called upon to perform, and it is essential, therefore, that he should be as efficient in all infantry work as other infantrymen. It is not considered desirable to alter the present system of instruction.