§ 41. Major Sir EDWARD COATESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if corporals in the Mounted Military Police at the front who have been serving with the Army in France since 1914, and would be recommended by their assistant provost-marshal, are not allowed to be promoted to sergeants; is he aware that men with only six months' service are promoted to sergeants in the new divisions; and will he permit men who have been serving at the front since 1914 to be promoted to the 1896 rank of sergeant in the new divisions if their assistant provost-marshal can recommend them?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONPromotions in the Corps of Military Police in France are made by the provost-marshal, General Headquarters, from lists submitted with recommendations from provost-marshals and assistant provost-marshals of formations. The method of promotion is by merit tempered by seniority, the aim being to consider all ranks and categories. There is no reason why men of long service should not be promoted, but it is pointed out that many of the men now in the Military Mounted Police, although they may have been in France throughout the War, may have only lately been transferred to the Corps of Military Police. Of the corporals of the Military Mounted Police now serving who were in the corps in August, 1914, only 18 per cent. have not received any higher rank. In a few cases men with less than six months' service have been promoted in England to the rank of sergeant in new divisions whilst the divisions were being formed, but any N.C.O.'s found unsatisfactory after the division has proceeded overseas are reduced or reverted to regimental duty. When cases of this description happen the vacancies are filled in France from the list of men recommended for promotion.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI say exactly what I mean. The method of promotion is "merit tempered by seniority."