§ 86. Mr. JAMES MASONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether young officers now serving in the New Armies will have the opportunity of permanently adopting a military career in the Regular Army; and, if so, will he say under what conditions as regards passing through military colleges?
§ Mr. TENNANTAn officer who holds a temporary commission in the Regular Army may present himself as a candidate for a permanent commission through one of the prescribed channels provided he possesses the necessary qualifications. Those who enter the Royal Military Academy or Royal Military College are required to resign their temporary commissions before taking up cadetships. The question whether others who may be brought to notice for showing special aptitude for soldiering shall be allowed to remain in the Army after the cessation of hostilities must depend upon future peace requirements.
§ Mr. MASONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether young officers who desire to go through Sandhurst and who refrained from doing so at the wish of their commanding officers will suffer in their chance of being retained at the end of the War?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is not desirable that they should suffer at all. If they could get their names put forward through the regular channels—through the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief—then I think that the matter would be achieved in that way.
§ Colonel YATEDoes this rule apply to officers of the Special Reserve or only to temporary officers in the New Army?
§ Mr. TENNANTOh, no. The machinery which I have in mind of getting a recommendation put through by the General Officer Commanding the Army has reference to all the officers serving at the front, all temporary commissions, whether in the Regular Army, the Territorial Force, or the Special Reserve.