§ 59. Mr. ELLIS DAVIESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that several men belonging to the 1st Comrades Battalion (Liverpool), now stationed at Prescot, have been offered commissions in other regiments, but that the colonel of their regiment refuses to release them and insists on their remaining as privates; and whether he will give intructions that where men are offered commissions they shall be immediately released for their new duties?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo refusals of the kind mentioned have been brought to the notice of the War Office. Instructions in the sense of the last part of the question have been sent to all commanding officers.
§ Mr. J. WARDWill the right hon. Gentleman take notice, particularly in the case of the refusal of the commanding officer to allow one of his privates to accept a commission that has been offered, that very often it is because he is an extremely able man and he wants merely to keep him in his own corps?
§ Mr. TENNANTIf that were so I think the commanding officer would naturally recommend him for a commission in his own corps.