§ Mr. NIELDasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that there 492W are at Colchester at least forty efficient and experienced officers who have served abroad now awaiting appointment to the New Armies or to fill vacancies caused by casualties; whether he is aware that these gentlemen were several months ago warned to hold themselves in readiness to leave for the front and have done so; and will he state upon what grounds is this expenditure of energy and waste of public funds attempted to be justified, and the usefulness of the officers impaired by the dispiriting effect of this treatment of their worth?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe officers in question form a portion of the reserve of experienced officers which the country may congratulate itself on possessing. Although I fully sympathise with the desire of these officers to be sent to the front, I am sure they would agree with me that the date of their being sent out must depend upon military requirements. It would not be economical from any point of view to send them out before their services are really required.
§ Colonel YATEasked the Under-Secretary for War why captains of the general Reserve are not promoted to the rank of major and subalterns of the general Reserve to the rank of captain, when vacancies occur in their units?
§ Mr. TENNANTThey are promoted into vacancies when they become senior of their rank.