§ 32. Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary of State for War why men who are corporals when in France are reverted to privates when they return to this country?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf men who have been made substantive corporals have been reverted to the rank of private on return to this country this would be wrong. If my hon. Friend will send particulars of any cases he has in mind to the War Office by letter, inquiry will be made with a view to rectification of errors if there have been any. It occurs to me, however, that my hon. Friend may be referring to men who have been given the acting rank of corporal. The essence of acting rank is that it is only held while the duties of the acting rank are actually performed. Acting rank is given up if the soldier comes home and ceases to perform the duties of the rank in which he had been appointed to act.
§ Mr. WATTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is widespread dissatisfaction, not only amongst the soldiers but among their relatives at their being reduced?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am afraid that is one of the drawbacks attaching to acting-rank.