§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Secretary of State for War, whether his attention has been directed to the slowness in the rate of promotion of junior officers of the Royal Engineers as compared with the rates in other branches of the Army; whether 1701W about forty-five field companies are commanded by Regular captains and twenty by temporary officers with the rank of major; whether the senior Royal Engineer captain has now seventeen years' service and 102 Royal Engineer captains have fifteen years' service; and whether he will endeavour to effect some acceleration in the rate of promotion?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, Sir, this matter has been receiving consideration, and a proposal for effecting some acceleration is being examined.