23. Major HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether it has been decided to terminate on 31st March the commissions of all Special Reserve officers, other than those who were commissioned before 5th August, 1914; whether a more moderate policy of reduction, based on seniority, could be carried out without taking this drastic step, which will leave many battalions with practically no officers; and whether officers of the Special Reserve whose commissions are terminated and who wish to join the newly constituted Militia will have their former rank and relative seniority restored to them and be granted commissions in their former battalions up to the maximum new establishment allowed?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, except that a certain number of Special Reserve officers whose services are required for the present to meet the exigencies of the Service may continue to be employed until such time as their services can be dispensed with. Owing to the re-organisation of the after-War Army it has been found unnecessary to retain and keep up the whole of the Special Reserve as it existed at the termination of hostilities, and the method of reduction referred to is considered to be the best. With regard to the last part of 1059 the question, I am afraid it is impossible to forecast the conditions of service of the new Militia until those conditions are definitely and finally formulated
§ Captain LOSEBYIs it a small matter that you are literally kicking out of the Service some of these valuable officers of the Special Reserve?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONPerhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question. I cannot answer offhand.
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI should like notice of that.
24. Major HENDERSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether, if the proposal to terminate the commissions of all Special Reserve officers other than those commissioned before 5th August, 1914, is carried out, ex-Regular officers or officers serving in the General Reserve of Officers who held commissions previous to 5th August, 1914, and who were re-commissioned or who transferred into the Special Reserve on the outbreak of War will be allowed to retain their commissions; and whether officers whose commissions are terminated will be allowed to retain any temporary or acting higher rank they previously held?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONUntil the conditions of service for the new Militia are finally decided I am afraid it is impossible to answer the first part of the question. As regards the last part, an officer on finally leaving the Special Reserve will be given any higher rank for which he is so eligible under Army Order 376 of 1918, but no guarantee can be given that such officers selected for appointment to the new Militia would not be asked to relinquish rank granted to them under this Army Order as a condition of being commissioned to the Militia.
Major HENDERSONCould my right hon. Friend arrange an opportunity for a discussion on this question before any definite decision is taken?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will make an application I will get an answer.