§ 19. Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORDasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, owing to the necessity of providing young officers at the present time, immediate steps will be taken to ensure the return at an early date of those cadets who were taken from the companies of Irish reserve battalions last Easter and put into the ranks as privates so as to now enable them to be sent to cadet battalions for which they are fully qualified, and thus permit them to complete their training as officers?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONThe soldiers referred to were not cadets, and they were drafted to units where their services were required. Commanders-in-Chief have been instructed to select a limited number of soldiers for admission to Officer Cadet Units, and no doubt the claims of the soldiers mentioned will be considered with others. I am afraid I cannot take any special action as suggested, which might be unfair to others.
§ Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that advertisements are appearing in the Irish papers at present for officers, civilians without any training, to join these corps?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am not aware of that.
§ Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORDAs this is a more important case than appears, especially in connection with the campaign for voluntary recruiting, it is absolutely necessary that—
§ Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORDMay I explain just for a minute?
§ Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORDWill the right hon. Gentleman grant me an interview for a few minutes?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI shall be very glad.