§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many officers there are at present in Great Britain who have never yet been sent to any of the various war fronts; whether some arrangement can be made to send every one of these out before wounded officers are sent back for the second, third, fourth, or even fifth time; and whether the same principle can be considered in relation to the men?
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§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo figures are available as to the number of officers at present in Great Britain who have not been overseas, but a large number are unfit and others who are fit are retained for definite reasons. Officers who are fit and are available for drafts are, as a general rule, sent overseas before those who have been wounded. In selecting non-commissioned officers and men whom it is necessary to retain for indispensable duties at home, preference is invariably given to those who have been on active service overseas and have been wounded.
§ Colonel ROYDSasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will render a return of the names of all officers now employed at the War Office of the rank of lieutenant-colonel and over, showing, in respect of each officer so employed the number of months' active service overseas in the present War?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the oral reply which I gave him to-day to his request for a somewhat similar return.