§ Mr. CAUTLEYasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been called to the position of subalterns in the Royal Garrison Artillery; whether he was aware that the senior subaltern had ten years' service and some 130 subalterns nine years and six months' service, and that those subalterns having five or six years' service would have to wait for their promotion until some 400 of their seniors had been promoted or retired; and whether he would take steps to improve the position and prospects of the officers in this branch of the Service?
§ Mr. HALDANEIt is true that the senior Garrison Artillery subaltern has ten years' service, but many subaltern officers in the Field Artillery and other regiments are similarly situated. The fact that so many subalterns at the top of the list have almost equal service is due to the large number of first appointments made early in 1900. The present block in promotion is due to temporary causes, and I hope that it will not now be long before it passes away. The Army Council decided, after thorough inquiry, that the situation was not such as to call for any exceptional measures.
§ Mr. A. LEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has only been one promotion to the rank of captain in the last two years, and that at that rate it will take these officers 260 years to reach the top of the list? Does he really intend to do nothing to remedy the grievance in view of his repeated promise to give the matter favourable consideration?
§ Mr. HALDANEThere are other steps to be taken, but, as I have already pointed out, this is an exceptionally difficult year. There is no reason to suppose they will continue subalterns or that they are worse off than subalterns in any other branch of the Service.