§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what is the present shortage of officers in the Regulars, Special Reserve, and Territorial Forces respectively?
§ The UNDERSECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)The shortages on the Establishments are as follows:—
For the Regular Army there are 273 candidates for first appointment qualified for commissions who will shortly be gazetted.
Regular Army … … 311 Special Reserve … … 1,242 Territorial Force … … 1,654
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that makes a substantial increase in the shortage that was reported six months ago?
§ Colonel SEELYI cannot carry in my mind the exact date or the exact amount of the shortage but the hon. Member will see from the answer.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDHas the time not come for giving greater opportunities for promotions from the ranks?
§ Colonel SEELYIt might be desirable that promotions from the ranks should be increased in every way possible. I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend says.