§ 33. Major Milnerasked the Secretary of State for War whether preference in promotion is being granted to sports professionals commissioned or enlisted in the Army; and on what grounds are they given special facilities in regard to leave?
§ Mr. StanleyThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative; and to the second that I am not aware of any special facilities.
§ Major MilnerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable public dissatisfaction at certain promotions, and of the promotion of at least one young cricketer, and that professional footballers are promoted to sergeant instructors and given week-end leave regularly in order to play in matches?
§ Mr. StanleyMy information is that these coaches and boxers have been enlisted in the ordinary way as privates and have been sent to Army schools for physical training and trained as instructors, and, if they qualify at the school as instructors, they rank as sergeants, just as anybody else does who qualifies.
§ Major MilnerWill the right hon. Gentleman look into one or two specific cases if I send him particulars?
§ Mr. StanleyYes, Sir.