§ 11. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for War the policy of the Army Council regarding the continuation, or otherwise, of temporary and 957 war substantive rank of officers; and whether it is proposed to grant any form of higher permanent rank to those who did specially good work in the temporary rank held by them and who are not yet due for substantive promotion.
Mr. FreemanThe question of adapting the wartime rules governing the grant of temporary and war substantive rank to present circumstances is being examined at the moment. We do not propose to grant any higher permanent rank to officers who have done specially good work in temporary rank but such good work is of course taken into account when selections are made to fill appointments.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs it not about time that this matter was definitely settled, and a decision come to upon it? Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the great dissatisfaction and the numberless heartburnings that occurred after the 1914ȓ18 war, when temporary rank had to be relinquished, and will he not take into consideration the possibility of a judicious use of brevet rank, in order to reward these officers?
Mr. FreemanOf course, we have given consideration to that. It is precisely because of the mistakes which were made last time that we are endeavouring to work this matter out very carefully on the present occasion.
§ Mr. BossomIs it not most undesirable that an officer who has held a rank and provided the pay for his family for many years, should suddenly be reduced in this way?
Mr. FreemanThe problem is that we have to provide a career in the Army for the number of senior officers who can get to the top. It really cannot be dismissed in the manner which has just been suggested