HC Deb 08 January 1913 vol 46 cc1170-1
17. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

asked the Secretary of State for War, if he will consider the advisability of giving promotion to subalterns in the Royal Garrison Artillery after eleven years' service, having regard to the fact that this is the limit of time for promotion in the Royal Engineers?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to a question put on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for the Melton Division of Leicestershire on Tuesday, 29th October.

18. Mr. GWYNNE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the undertaking which he gave in July last, that lieutenants in the Royal Garrison Artillery should be promoted to captains after thirteen years' service, has yet been given effect to by publication in general orders?

Colonel SEELY

I considered that sufficient publicity was given by the question put by the hon. Gentleman and the answer made to him. Steps were, of course, taken at once to ensure that the undertaking given should be carried into effect when the first opportunity for promotion arose. The first promotion under the new rule falls due early in May.

Mr. LEE

Is there no intention to start to promote lieutenants before they have thirteen years' service?

Colonel SEELY

The hon. Gentleman knows that the block of promotion was caused by a very large batch of officers being selected at the time of the South African war. We have done something to alleviate that matter, but I cannot undertake to go further at the present time.

Colonel YATE

What will be the length of service of the officers to be promoted in May?

Colonel SEELY

If the hon. Member will refer to the answer, he will see that when they come to have thirteen years' service they are due for promotion.

Colonel YATE

Will it be fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years?

Colonel SEELY

I cannot say without notice.

Mr. GWYNNE

Is there any reason why the right hon. Gentleman should not put this branch of the Service on the same basis as the Royal Engineers?

Colonel SEELY

Yes, Sir; there is a very real objection which I stated in the answer to the hon. Gentleman.