§ General McCALMONTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that advertisements have appeared, and are appearing, in the Irish Press inviting Irish candidates up to thirty-four and a half years of age to qualify for commissions by service in Officers' Training Corps irrespective of whether they have served overseas; whether numbers of Irishmen who have served, or are serving, in the ranks overseas have already been recommended for cadet battalions with a view to commissions; whether the Regulations have hitherto required such service from candidates; and whether he will take steps to ensure that those who have served and are recommended will be given an opportunity of being trained before those who have no previous overseas service?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAdvertisements of this nature have not been sanctioned by the Army Council who have ordered their discontinuance. As regards the latter part of the question, if a soldier is serving overseas and is recommended he is sent home by the Commander-in-Chief for admission to an Officer Cadet School. A limited number of candidates with experience of active service are also invited from General Officers Commanding-in-Chief at home. These are dependent upon the vacancies in the Officer Cadet Schools, and at present the numbers are very few. There are no regulations on the subject, but demands are made periodically on Commanders-in-Chief, according to the requirements of the Service, and preference is given to those who have experience gained on active service in the field.
§ General McCALMONTMay we take it that preference in every case will be given to those in the field, and is my right hon. Friend aware that these advertisements were still appearing as late as last Saturday? I have a copy of an Irish paper of Saturday last in which the advertisement appeared.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have discussed this, as my hon. and gallant Friend knows, with the authorities, and we have issued orders discontinuing it.
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot say, but I think they were inserted in the Irish papers by the Chairman of the Committee in charge of recruiting.
§ Colonel Sir J. CRAIGHow many commissions were actually granted as the result of these advertisements?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI cannot say offhand, but I shall be very glad to make inquiries.
§ Mr. KINGDoes this not show that there is considerable friction or lack of understanding between the War Office and the recruiting authorities in Dublin?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not think it does. This recruiting committee in Dublin was not in actual touch with the authorities concerned in granting commissions in the War Office.