§ 26. Lieut.-Colonel Macnamaraasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the difficulties in which Territorial units are being put owing to the delay, sometimes of months, in getting new officers of whom the units themselves have approved gazetted by the War Office; and whether he will speed up the machinery in order that the thousands of new men may have their proper establishment of officers?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe increase in the establishment of the Territorial Army involves some 9,000 appointments to commissions, and a large number of recommendations is being received daily. Every endeavour is being made to accelerate their examination, and officers commanding units are permitted, as a temporary measure, to authorise eligible candidates to join and attend drills and annual training, before they are gazetted. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any particular cases of delay in mind and will send me the necessary details, I will gladly took into them.