§ 16. Colonel McCALMONTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that, while the number of commissions granted to every branch of the Service has increased many hundred per cent. during the War, the number granted to bandmasters is unchanged; whether he is aware that it is now more difficult for a bandmaster in the British Regular Army to attain commissioned rank than in any of the forces of our Overseas Dominions or our Allies; and whether this question will receive immediate and favourable consideration?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONBandmasters who are granted commissions as Directors of Music are not engaged in active operations in the field, and it has not, therefore, been necessary to increase their numbers owing to the War. I am not aware of the conditions under which bandmasters are promoted to commissioned rank in the forces of the Overseas Dominions or of our Allies. As the 3332 whole question is bound up with the organisation of the post-bellum Army, I regret that it is not possible to make any statement at the present time.