§ 23. Sir THOMAS ESMONDEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is 1046 aware that a number of candidates for commissions in the Army from Ireland have entered various Officers' Training-Corps with a view to qualifying for commissions, and that some of them have been already recommended for commissions by the officer commanding of their different training corps, but that they are now informed that commissions are only obtainable through the ranks owing to a change in the Regulations; and whether he will see that candidates for commissions from Ireland, who have already entered Officers' Training Corps in Ireland or in England, are allowed the benefit of the conditions on the strength of which they joined originally?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe general rule now in force is that commissions shall not be granted to any candidate who has not passed through the ranks of a cadet unit unless he has previous military experience as an officer. Cadets of contingents of the Officers' Training Corps who have attained the age of eighteen and a half years and are approved by the Army Council will be eligible for admission to a cadet unit. The granting of a commission will depend upon whether the cadet, after his course in the cadet unit, is reported as suitable in every way to hold a commission. Membership of an Officers' Training Corps will not by itself qualify for a commission.