§ 16. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Secretary of State for War why men who have recently been released from reserved occupations are being granted commissions without going through the ranks?
§ Mr. A. HendersonDirect commissions are granted to a certain number of men who possess special qualifications urgently needed in the Army. In the main these are now professional engineers for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. At this stage in the call-up of men for the Forces it is inevitable that most of them do come from reserved occupations.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill my hon. and learned Friend say whether he has considered a typical case, the details of which 1 have already sent to him?
§ Mr. HendersonYes, Sir; we have been unable to find any trace of the man in question having been commissioned.