§ 22. Mr. G. Straussasked the Secretary of State for War whether the principle of promotion to officers' rank only after service in non-commissioned ranks, applies to the Royal Army Pay Corps; and why almost all commissions in this corps have been granted to persons with no previous experience of the work, and, with few exceptions, no promotions to officers' rank have been given to noncommissioned officers, and none to fully qualified Territorials?
§ Mr. EdenThe majority of emergency commissions in the Royal Army Pay Corps have been granted to members of the Army Officers Emergency Reserve who were earmarked before or early in the war as suitable by reason of their civil occupations for commissions in the Royal Army Pay Corps. A high proportion of these officers did service in the last war, but commissions from the ranks are now being granted to suitable men, including Territorials, who are recommended by their commanding officers. Instructions have recently been issued calling specially for such recommendations.