HC Deb 18 April 1917 vol 92 cc1666-7W
Captain BURGOYNE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in the opinion of the Army Council, officers who prior to the War were civilians and who have not passed the Staff College are therefore considered to have limitations and are ineligible for promotion to brigade commanders?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The sole concern of the Army Council is to ensure that the best available officers are appointed to command brigades. A Staff College certificate is not and never has been a necessary qualification for the command of troops.