HC Deb 13 May 1915 vol 71 cc1809-10
56. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state when it is proposed to publish a gazette filling up all the higher commands in regiments which have been vacated owing to casualties during the War?

Mr. TENNANT

The filling of vacancies in regiments and battalions is a matter in which the Commander-in-Chief in the field is concerned, and it is not merely an automatic clerical process as is sometimes supposed. All the vacancies are dealt with as soon as they occur, when the necessary information as to the fitness of the officers next in succession is available. I dealt with the question of promoting officers to temporary rank in an answer to the hon. and learned Member for York yesterday.

57. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked why it is essential to keep the names of generals commanding divisions and brigades of the British Army from the enemy while permitting the publication of similar information in regard to the Canadian forces?

Mr. TENNANT

I think this question is covered by the answers I gave to the hon. Member on the 20th April. I will ask him to accept my assurance that it is undesirable in the military interest to make public, and as a consequence to correct from time to time as necessary, an authorised list of the names of the generals comcanding divisions and brigades.