§ 15. Sir Douglas Hackingasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give consideration to the reduction of the qualifying periods for substantive ranks of non-commissioned officers?
§ Sir J. GriggNo, Sir. I am satisfied that the present arrangements satisfy the demands of military efficiency and are at the same time fair to the non-commissioned officers.
§ Sir D. HackingIs my right hon. Friend aware that an acting corporal has to wait three months before he gets substantive rank and a warrant officer no less than 12 months, and that if in the meantime either of them is sick or injured for a period of 21 days, he has to revert to his previous rank? Does he think that is in the interests of good soldiering?
§ Sir J. GriggYes, Sir, taking it by and large. At the outbreak of the war, the rule was for a uniform period of three months, but that was found, in the case, at any rate, of higher N.C.O.s and warrant officers, not to give sufficient time to test them fully, and therefore, the period was extended for the higher ranks, but at the same time all periods spent in acting rank were allowed to accumulate. Before, there had to be a continuous single period.