§ 24. Mr. Hewlettasked the Secretary of State for War whether the waiting periods before promotion comes to lieutenants and captains are fixed with regard to peacetime conditions or to war-time experience; and whether in war-time the demand for officers is so great as to suggest the waiving of such lengthy periods or the placing of officers without promotion on the reserve?
§ Sir J. GriggThe number of officers in each rank above lieutenant is determined by war-time requirements. The number is made up by acting promotion in the first instance. Officers are selected for such promotion by merit and no qualifying period of service is required. Officers are not retired or placed on the reserve so long as they can be suitably employed in their own or higher rank.