Captain BROWNasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that in the past bandmasters have been appointed direct to the Army and Royal Marines without previous service, he can give an assurance that in all future appointments to bandmaster and directorships of music, length of service will be taken into account, and that a reasonable period of service in the ranks will be considered an essential qualification?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAs I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on the 24th July, the King's Regulations provide that a soldier must have at least three years' service before he can enter the Royal 579W Military School of Music as a student for training as a bandmaster. This ensures that bandmasters are only selected from those who have served in the ranks. Directors of music are appointed by selection from among bandmasters.