§ 14. Mr. JOWETTasked the Under- Secretary of State for War if there is in force at present an Army Council Instruction which, in effect, disqualifies applicants for commissions who have not served over seas; and, if so, whether it is observed in all cases alike?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir; there is no Army Council Instruction to this effect. On the contrary, there are two Army Council Instructions which deal with the acceptance of Officers Training Corps Cadets and of selected men from young soldiers and graduated battalions. These provide for the selection of candidates for training for temporary commissions from among young men who are not even old enough to go on service overseas.
§ Mr. HOGGEIs it the case that no application is now being made from the ranks unless the man is a non-commissioned officer?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo; if my hon. Friend had done me the honour to listen to my statement on the Army Estimates he would have heard that I pointed out that, as far as possible, we limit candidates for Cadet Corps to soldiers who have served overseas and who have reached the rank of non-commissioned officer. As to exceptional cases in this country, we give them exceptional treatment.