HC Deb 04 February 1947 vol 432 cc320-1W
82. Commander Noble

asked the Secretary of State for War what conditions govern the eligibility of officers in the Royal Malta Regiment and in the King's Own Malta Regiment for commissions in the Regular forces; and whether service in Malta during the siege is counted as active service in this connection.

Mr. Bellenger

Officers of the Royal Malta Artillery hold either permanent Regular commissions in that Force or Governor's commissions. The holders of such permanent Regular commissions are not eligible to be appointed to permanent Regular commissions in other Forces in the British Army. The King's Own Malta Regiment is part of the Malta Territorial Force. The officers hold Governor's commissions. Those officers who hold Governor's commissions are eligible for permanent Regular Army commissions. The conditions governing eligibility are the same as for temporary officers throughout the British Forces. Vacancies in the permanent establishment of Regular officers in the Royal Malta Artillery are open to Maltese officers who are eligible for permanent commissions and are nominated by the General Officer Commanding Troops, Malta. Service in Malta during the siege is treated as active service, but active service is not a condition of eligibility for a permanent commission.