§ 26. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War 70 whether he is aware that the commanding officer of the 21st Battalion Royal Fusiliers declines to allow men to go notwithstanding that these men have been appointed to commissions in other battalions; that the commanding officers of the battalions in question have written on several occasions asking for the discharge of these men but without success; and whether, seeing that this procedure interferes with efficiency in the battalions in which these men have received commissions, he will have inquiries made into the matter so that these men may be in a position to take up the commissions that are awaiting them?
§ Mr. TENNANTA soldier cannot be appointed to a commission without the recommendation of the officer under whose command he is serving. I imagine therefore that it is to men whom other commanding officers desire to have as officers and not to men who have received the necessary recommendation that the hon. Gentleman refers. If this is so, I can only say that general instructions have been issued to commanding officers on this matter, but that they must retain their discretion as to whether recommendations are given or withheld in individual cases.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs it not a fact that some commanding officers are asking men who have been promised commissions in other regiments to find a recruit before they can be released?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have no information of that kind.