§ Mr. CROOKSasked the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that only sixteen commissions have 1521W been granted to warrant officers in the Royal Artillery during the years 1906 to 1911, while in the previous five years, 1900 to 1905, no less than seventy-two were granted; and whether, as this is a cause of complaint among the other ranks of non-commissioned officers whose promotion is blocked or delayed in consequence, he would take steps to consider the claims of those warrant officers to promotion, and, in the case of the senior warrant officers who are qualified for promotion, by extending the age limit, for which there is a precedent?
§ Colonel SEELYThe correct figures for the commissions granted Royal Artillery warrant officers are as follows:—
1900 to 1905 (both inclusive) … 107 1906 to 1911 (both inclusive) … 21 I am afraid that the remedy for slowness of promotion which the hon. Member suggests, would, while assisting some of the seniors, injuriously affect those below them who have now a reasonable prospect of promotion, and it is not therefore considered expedient to extend the age limit.