9. Major Cazaletasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of officers serving in antiaircraft units, who had been promoted and gazetted with acting rank of captains, and who had served for more than two months on war sites, have, without any notice or reason being given, been demoted to second lieutenants; and whether any regulation has been passed which authorises the demoting of an officer while he continues to serve in the same unit other than the sentence of court martial?
§ Mr. StanleyThe establishments of the units concerned were reduced by one captain on 31st December last, and acting captains had, therefore, to revert to their substantive rank. The regulations governing the promotion of officers in war provide that higher acting rank may be given within units to fill vacancies in approved establishments; but that such acting ranks shall only be tenable whilst the holders are actually performing the 353 duties of the higher ranks. Officers holding acting ranks are, therefore, always liable to revert to their substantive ranks if there is a change in the circumstances which led to the grant of their acting ranks. The matter is, however, being further investigated, and I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result in due course.
Major CazaletDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is derogatory that either officers or N.C.O.'s should be reduced in rank while still serving in the same unit in which they have been promoted?
§ Mr. StanleyAs I said, I am looking into this matter, but as the same sort of thing happended to me in the last war, although not in the same unit, I cannot agree that it is derogatory.