HC Deb 30 March 1920 vol 127 cc1057-8
20. Captain BROWN

asked the Secretary of State for War if the expense of retaining the senior officers' school is unavoidable, seeing that there is a large surplus of officers available who have already commanded battalions in the field?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

The answer is in the affirmative. It is necessary for all officers of the Regular Army, with the exception of the Royal Army Medical Corps and the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, to undergo a course at this school before they can be considered fit for promotion to the rank of substantive Lieut.-Colonel. This procedure is required in the interests of the higher tactical training of officers and of the training and administration of units, and to ascertain the fitness of officers to command troops.

Captain BROWN

If this school were not in existence before the War, why should it be necessary?

Captain LOSEBY

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask, is it not a fact that this senior officers' school does invaluable work, quite apart from training commanding officers?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

It does valuable work.