§ Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary of State for India whether officers of the Indian Medical Service have been prejudiced in respect of promotion during the War as compared with the position in this behalf of officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps, who have received such rapid promotion that, when of equal or inferior length of service, they supersede their brother officers of the Indian Service, almost all lieutenants having become captains and in some cases majors; and, if so, whether he will consider what steps can be and should be taken to give the members of the Indian equal promotion with that enjoyed by the members of the British Service?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe rapidity of promotion of permanent officers of the1056W Royal Army Medical Corps is chiefly due to the great expansion of the British Army. No such expansion has taken place in the Indian Army, and, therefore, neither the need nor the opportunity for similar special promotions has arisen in the Indian Medical Service. I cannot accept the suggestion which seems to underlie my hon. Friend's question that the normal expectations of officers of one Service as regards promotion are in any way prejudiced by the good fortune enjoyed in wholly exceptional circumstances by officers of another Service.