HC Deb 14 February 1917 vol 90 c618
43 and 44. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) why, although the establishment of both branches of the Royal Regiment of Artillery has been increased during the present War and the promotion in the field branch has corresponded with such increase, to the extent that the last promoted major in the Royal Field Artillery (Major B.) has twelve years and two months' commissioned service, the promotion of the officers of the Garrison Artillery, i.e., heavy and siege batteries, which has been frequently specially mentioned by the Commander-in-Chief, is so slow that about 150 to 200 officers of the Royal Garrison Artillery who passed out of the Royal Military Academy some three years before Major B. did still only hold the substantive rank of captain; and (2) whether he is aware that in the Royal Garrison Artillery there are 175 captains with thirteen years' service and upwards, but in the Royal Field Artillery there are none, all having been promoted; whether he is aware that the twenty junior majors in the Royal Garrison Artillery have fifteen and a half years' service and the same number of junior majors in the Royal Field Artillery have only thirteen years' service; will he explain why a branch of the Artillery which has done such splendid service during the War has been so treated; and whether a further "Gazette" can be shortly published bringing the promotion in the Royal Garrison Artillery up to the level of the rest of the regiment?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The statement contained in the questions are correct. The question of the state of promotion in the Royal Garrison Artillery has been considered and it was decided that no action should be taken during the War.

Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS

Is there any possibility, having regard to those serious statements and their admitted correctness, of reconsidering this very important matter, and is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is causing great dissatisfaction amongst the unpromoted officers of the heavy Artillery?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I am aware of that, and I will consider it.