§ Mr. Emeryasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give an assurance that those serving officers and other ranks possessing suitable qualifications are properly considered, and the necessary returns called for, in connection with appointments requiring special knowledge; and that such appointments are not offered in the first place to those outside the Army?
§ Captain Margesson:Serving officers and other ranks possessing suitable qualifications are considered for special appointments when they occur. Returns are called for in connection with appointments requiring special knowledge. It sometimes happens that an officer or other rank with special qualifications is more usefully employed in his existing military capacity, that is, he may be a military specialist. In certain cases of great urgency where it is known that a man in civil life would suitably fill a special appointment, such a man is sometimes specially enlisted or commissioned for that appointment.