HC Deb 22 January 1918 vol 101 cc799-800
19. General CROFT

asked whether a brigadier appointed to command a brigade in 1917 or 1918 becomes senior in the field to a brigadier whose appointment dates from 1914, 1915, or 1916, if the former was senior to the latter in the Army List prior to the War; and, if not, when the alteration was made in the Regulation affecting such seniority?

Mr. MACPHERSON

Brigadiers rank according to their substantive rank, and not according to the date of their appointment. This Regulation was in force several years before the outbreak of war.

General CROFT

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that the time has come to reconsider this question?

Brigadier-General M'CALMONT

Is it not a fact that if brigadiers did not rank according to their substantive rank, those who come home wounded would lose their seniority on receiving fresh appointments?

Mr. MACPHERSON

That is so. With regard to my hon. and gallant Friend's question, this subject has been considered quite recently.