§ Major NEWMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he will make inquiries as to the promotion of officers employed on recruiting work; and if he will say whether an ex-officer of the Regular Army who has since June, 1915, been employed at the Central Recruiting Office, Whitehall, in responsible and onerous work is still a lieutenant, while civilians who obtained commissions since that date have never done any active service and been employed continuously on recruiting work are promoted captains and majors?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that success1862W in recruiting under the Military Service Acts depends less upon former military experience than upon adaptability and business method. The value of officers employed upon it can only be discovered by experience, and promotion is dependent on the competency of the officer to perform the duties of a higher appointment. The general principle is to give such temporary rank as will enable the individual to carry out his duties without friction. In the absence of further details, I am not able to express any opinion on the case referred to.