HC Deb 21 July 1942 vol 381 c1379
3. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in any case the promotion of a captain to the rank of major when a vacancy arises is held back on the ground of the fact that the captain is substantially younger than most captains?

Sir J. Grigg

With the exception of the second-in-command, whose appointment is a matter for the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, the choice of officers for promotion within a unit is at the discretion of the commanding officer, subject to ratification by the divisional or equivalent commander. The governing consideration is to obtain the most suitable officer for a vacancy. He may or may not be substantially older or younger than other officers of the same rank.

Mr. Thorne

Is it true to say that there are so many corporals to so many privates and so many corporals to so many sergeants?

Sir J. Grigg

Every unit has a war establishment, but it is not a uniform ratio.