§ 8. Mr. J. P. Morrisasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that gentleman-cadets at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, who passed out on their course and, if proceeding to infantry regiments, would have been commissioned on the 18th October, 1939, were, because possessed of certain technical knowledge, retained for the Royal Corps of Signals and were not granted their commissions until seven months later and, as this delayed grant of commissions has meant immediate financial loss and recurring annual financial loss for the rest of their military career, together with loss of seniority, which may be a great hardship in the future, whether he will ante-date their commissions to 18th October, 1939?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Eden)None of the gentlemen-cadets at Sandhurst at the outbreak of war had completed the normal course, and it was decided that they should be enlisted and posted to officer cadet training units. It is true that the officer cadet training unit's course for those who elected the Royal Corps of Signals was longer than that for those who elected to proceed to infantry, but all these cadets were commissioned at an age younger than usual, and consequently find themselves favourably placed as compared with pre-war entrants. They were, moreover, the last cadets to be given regular commissions. In these circumstances, and as the relative seniority of the officers in question in their own corps or regiments is in no way affected, it is not considered that their careers or prospects have been in any way prejudiced. As officers of the Royal Corps of Signals, they will, in fact, draw a higher rate of pay than they would have done if they had proceeded to the infantry.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut do we distinguish between gentlemen and others in the Army?