§ 68. Mr. Kellyasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in regard to the promotions recently made to the posts of superintendent of stores at Chilwell depot, Army Ordnance Service, and superintendent of sales yard, Woolwich Arsenal Army Ordnance Service, the individuals appointed were recently serving in the armed forces of the Crown; whether, as they are junior in service and experience to a number of supervisory employés who could be regarded as eligible for promotion to these posts, any examination or consideration of the senior staff available was undertaken before the appointments were made; and what steps he is taking to allay the discontent amongst supervisory grades who could normally look to further promotion?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI think the hon. Member has been misinformed. Both the 2162 individuals referred to are ex-service men who left the Army shortly after the War. The records and capacity of all eligible men were taken into careful consideration before these two appointments were made. I am not aware of any discontent, nor can I sec that there are any grounds for such on the part of other supervisory grades in the Army Ordnance Services.
§ Mr. KellyWill not the claims of the length of service and the capacity of the men engaged in the stores be considered so that people who come in later will not be promoted over their heads?
§ Sir V. WarrenderThese individuals have had long experience in the Service and have not just come out of the Army.