27. Mr. NUGENTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to state the results of the inquiries promised into the case of Ignatius Woods, 775 Company, Army Service Corps, No. 078,439; is he aware that Woods joined the Mechanical Transport of the Army Service Corps in April, 1915, after an interview with Major Jellicoe at the War Office, London, who told him that if he served the corps satisfactorily as a non-commissioned officer he would recommend him for a commission; that on 8th April, 1915, Ignatius Woods, on the recommendation of Major Jellicoe, above referred to, received the rank of sergeant, 1311 but that he did not receive sergeant's pay; that, though Ignatius Woods was sergeant-in-charge of the Mechanical Transport workshops in Belfast up to June, 1916, without complaint, he received a letter from Major Oakley, 373rd Company, Bedford, stating that Colonel Fisher, on 27th April, 1915, promised him sergeant's pay; if he is aware that this man was sent to France on 8th October without receiving a single penny of sergeant's pay, and reduced to the rank of private; what is the result of Woods' application for a commission on the interview accorded him on 18th October, 1916; and if he proposes to take any further action in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)The acting appointment was only given to Woods to enable him to prove his capacity in a position of authority with a view to furthering his application for a commission. Appointments of this description do not carry pay. On going to France Woods automatically reverted to the rank of private in accordance with the usual practice. I understand that he has since been promoted a sergeant. He was not interviewed at the War Office in October last. He was tested for a commission in the Army Service Corps in France, but it was not granted.