HC Deb 11 April 1911 vol 24 cc214-5
Mr. KELLAWAY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War, if he will lay upon the Table a translation of the conditions under which commissions are granted in the Swiss Army?

The UNDER-SECRETARY for WAR (Colonel Seely)

No copy of the regulations concerned is immediately available, but the conditions are approximately as follows. Men who have been well reported on after passing a non-commissioned officer's course and a repetition course, and have been employed to instruct at a recruit's course may be sent to an officers' preparatory course. If they obtain a certificate at the latter course they are promoted second lieutenants. Officers are appointed to the Staff or to Federal Units by the Federal Council and to cantonal units by the Cantonal Authorities. The number of days training in these courses amount to 251, including eighty-two days for the officers preparatory course. After receiving a commission a second-lieutenant goes through an officer's recruit course of sixty-seven days. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the purposes for which the Swiss Army is maintained correspond more to those of the Territorial Force than to those of the Regular Army in this country.

Mr. KELLAWAY

Will the War Department take into consideration the advisability of applying that to the British Army, so far as it can be applied, so as to secure promotions from the ranks?

Colonel SEELY

As I have said in the last part of my reply, the circumstances are not similar. In the Territorial Force many officers do pass through various ranks. My hon. Friend near me (Mr. Acland) passed through all branches of the Territorial Force.

Mr. KELLAWAY

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in view of the desirability of increasing the supply of officers from the ranks, he would consider the advisability of a special course of training for suitable boys in the military elementary schools at Dover, and in Ireland and Scotland?

Colonel SEELY

The education now given by the military schools referred to is specially directed to training ex-Standard VII. boys in the subjects required for a first class certificate of education which is necessary for qualification for a commission.

Mr. KELLAWAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any figures showing how many commissioners have been obtained by this means?

Colonel SEELY

It would be very difficult, but I will inquire.

Mr. WATT

Is it the case that there are fewer appointments from the ranks in this country than in any other country in Europe?

Colonel SEELY

I do not know. I would like that put down.

Mr. MORRELL

Has advancement from the ranks gone down under the present system,

Mr. SPEAKER

That question should be put on the paper.