65. Sir GILBERT PARKERasked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the case that under the new organisation of the Royal Garrison Artillery no officer in future can become more than a major or command a greater force than a single company, whereas in other branches an officer may look forward to commanding eventually a regiment, a battalion, or a brigade with corresponding rank; and if under the new organisation officers who have commanded regiments are now reduced to the command of single companies?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs I stated on the 6th instant, no existing officers will be reduced in rank, and the position and status of existing lieutenant-colonels will also remain unchanged as long as they continue to serve. As regards the first part of the question, it is recognised that the new organisation, which has been adopted in the interests of national defence generally, may involve some change of prospects, but it is not the case that officers of the Royal Garrison Artillery will be in a different position from the officers of all other branches of the Territorial Force.