§ 30. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the slow rate of promotion in the commissioned ranks of the R.A.P.C.; and whether he will consider an improvement of war establishment to provide better facilities for promotion among junior officers.
§ Sir J. GriggI have no doubt that the rate of war-time promotion in the R.A.P.C. may be in some cases slower than in field units. This is inevitable, owing to the fact that vacancies are not created to the same extent by casualties or by expansions and reorganisations for operational reasons. I am not satisfied that there are any grounds for altering war establishments to give more promotion in this Corps. The ranks in war establishments are based on the nature of the duties and responsibilities, and cannot be designed specifically in the interests of promotion. It is, however, provided that 25 per cent. of junior officers in operational establishments, and 20 per cent. in static establishments may be captains.
§ Mr. GuyMay I ask if the Minister is aware of the system operating in a number of units of the Royal Army Pay Corps whereby, unless men of all ranks are prepared to sign on under the full regulations governing Army conditions, no promotion is offered at all?
§ Sir J. GriggI did not quite understand the question. Perhaps the hon. Member will put it down, so that I can answer it after examining it carefully.