§ 16. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the disinclination of the Army authorities to transfer to the Royal Engineers, or other suitable branches of the Service, qualified and skilled engineers of various types, on the grounds that they have already undergone useful infantry training; and whether he will give instructions that such delay in placing a man in a branch of the Army where he can be most useful is not in itself a reason for refusing to remedy the matter when it becomes apparent?
§ Mr. LawI am not aware of any such disinclination on the part of the Army authorities. Every effort is made to place officers and other ranks possessing engineering or other technical qualifications in those arms of the Service where their special knowledge will be of most service to the Army. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, however, that for operational reasons it is not always possible for the transfer to be effected immediately.