77. Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, when a major's command is made a lieutenant-colonel's command, the practice is not to promote the major in command, but to supersede him by a retired lieutenant-colonel; whether he is aware that this practice causes dissatisfaction; and whether he will consider an amendment of existing regulations by which, in these circumstances, the major in command can be continued by temporary promotion as lieutenant-colonel?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is the practice not to promote from a lower to a higher rank as long as there are suitable officers of the higher rank available for absorption.