HC Deb 24 June 1915 vol 72 cc1334-5
55. Mr. LYNCH

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any case has arisen in which, by reason of all the senior officers having been killed, a battalion has been commanded by a subaltern or temporary captain; and whether, in the case when he has distinguished himself in such command, no promotion has been given to him on account of his having been transferred from a Special Reserve unit of which the senior officers had all remained in England?

Mr. TENNANT

It is possible that for short and quite temporary periods battalions at the front have been commanded by subalterns in some instances. This does not in itself entitle an officer to promotion. Special Reserve officers serving in Regular battalions receive promotion, as I have before explained, either through the occurrence of vacancies in their Special Reserve battalions or through their selection for temporary rank in the Regular battalion, in accordance with the new rules.

Mr. LYNCH

Will the right hon. Gentleman carefully consider the whole system, with a view to making changes in it?

Mr. TENNANT

I have already explained that changes have been made, and that the present system is not only a reasonable, but a proper one.

57. Mr. LYNCH

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that senior officers of Special Reserve units are kept in England while the subalterns are sent to the front, the promotion of deserving officers who have distinguished themselves at the front is blocked; and whether he proposes to take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

Mr. TENNANT

I do not think there has been a blocking of promotion owing to the causes suggested. For one thing the establishments of the Special Reserve Battalions since the outbreak of war have been increased, and this has accelerated promotion. Captains also go from Special Reserve Battalions to the Expeditionary Force and are eligible for temporary promotion in the battalion they join, in accordance with the new rules. Those who from their position are able to survey the whole field of promotion, assure me that Special Reserve officers have not anything to complain of at present as regards the rate of promotion.