§ 72. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will call for a list from the officers commanding units in Scotland of the number of applications by private soldiers and non-commissioned officers for commissions in other units which these commanding officers have refused to sanction, in view of the hindrance to the efficiency of the Army which such wholesale refusals entail?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not think it is desirable to call for such a list. To do so would not only throw great labour on the regimental authorities, but would also tend to encourage private soldiers and non-commissioned officers to go behind their commanding officers with a view to pressure being exercised in individual cases. It would not be proper for the War Office to take any step which could be construed as countenancing such undue pressure. The instructions which have been given ensure that each application for a commission receives careful consideration.