§ 19 and 20. Sir FRANCIS BLAKEasked (1) what is to be the full establishment of the corps of military accountants; what number of permanent appointments have been made; how many temporary officers are serving in it; from what sources it is proposed to complete the establishment;
(2) whether he will consider the possibility of appointing combatant rank officers to the corps of military accountants, provided they can attain the necessary standards in accounting, and thereby enable them, by continuing their service, to earn an adequate retiring allowance?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe permanent establishment projected for the corps of military accountants is 110 officers and 900 other ranks; but owing to the novelty of the work and other elements of uncertainty, these numbers are subject to revision. No permanent commissions in the corps have yet been granted; but at the present time 298 officers with professional qualifications are employed on temporary commissions. No question of further appointments to complete establishment therefore arises.