HC Deb 22 February 1915 vol 70 cc26-8
63. Colonel LOCKWOOD

asked whether the non-commissioned officers from India at present attached to various units are entitled to take their turn for promotion with the unit to which they are attached?

Mr. TENNANT

The matter is at present under consideration, and I hope that a definite decision will be arrived at shortly.

70. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many men joined the Forces as privates at the outbreak of War rather than wait for commissions; whether it is now impossible for such men to obtain commissions without the consent of their colonel; whether such consent is now withheld; whether men with no training, or little training, are obtaining commissions instead of those men who are now well trained receiving promotion; and whether the War Office intend to adhere to this practice?

Mr. TENNANT

In the cases of candidates for commissions who are serving in the ranks it is always necessary for the applicant to be recommended by his commanding officer, who is held to be the best judge of the candidate's general suitability for commissioned rank. I have no reason to believe that such recommendation is withheld unreasonably in the cases of suitable candidates. It is recognised, however, that some limit must be placed on the number promoted from the ranks of any one unit in order that its efficiency as a unit may not suffer. Some suitable candidates with little or no previous military training are being appointed to commissions in addition to, not instead of, candidates from the ranks.

Mr. HOGGE

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see it is very unfair to these men who joined as privates at the beginning of the War that they should be prevented obtaining commissions because their colonel, in view of their efficiency, does not wish to part with them?

Mr. TENNANT

So far as I can understand it the case is met by the maxim of the greatest good for the greatest number. It would be impossible to denude a regiment of the whole number of candidates who may be perfectly fit for commissions.

Mr. HOGGE

But does not the right hon. Gentleman see that men with a few months' training are able to drill new recruits much better than those who are getting commissions without having had any training at all?

Mr. TENNANT

Most of these young men go into training corps. They are placed by the commanding officer in a special category for the training of the officers, and that plan has been attended with the best possible results.