§ 23. Mr. WATTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether an application was made in July by his Department to the Institute of Civil Engineers to procure for them officers for the Royal Engineers who had a knowledge of heavy construction work; whether the institute and his Department interviewed twenty or thirty men, several of whom travelled from Scotland, with a view to these appointments; whether anything further was done in the matter; and, if so, how many men received commissions?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe facts stated in the first two parts of the question are substantially accurate. The result of the interviews in question has been that nineteen gentlemen have already received commissions in the Royal Engineers and the consideration of the qualifications of other candidates is still proceeding, with a view to the filling of further vacancies which may occur.