58. Major DAVIESasked the present procedure for the granting of commissions in His Majesty's Army; whether any restrictions have been placed upon the entry of cadets to officers' training corps; and what facilities are available to young officers undergoing training of commanding units and handling bodies of men?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe Regulations for granting commissions in His Majesty's Army through the Royal Military Academy and Royal Military College are published from time to time in Army Orders. During the present War temporary commissions are granted, after a period of training in officer cadet units, under conditions which vary according to the exigencies of the Service. No restrictions have been placed during the War on the entry to senior and junior contingents of the officers' training corps. Everything possible is done to give young officers an opportunity of commanding platoons at training.
§ General McCALMONTCan the hon. Gentleman say whether any steps have been taken to bring the training of these corps under modern requirements in the way of military training?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONYes; I believe that is being done.
59. Major DAVIESasked the Under secretary for War whether commissions are now being granted to non-commissioned officers who are not recommended by their commanding officers; whether instructions have been sent to the commanding officers to the effect that they must forward the names of at least two non-commissioned officers for commissions irrespective of their fitness to hold such positions; and, if so, whether he is pre pared to modify this arrangement to avoid giving commissions to unsuitable candidates?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe reply to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative. I am not aware of such instructions having been sent to commanding officers, and every step is being taken to prevent commissions being granted to unsuitable candidates.