§ Sir PHILIP MAGNUSasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the number of members of the Royal Army Medical Corps who, having the rank of major, have been promoted to that of lieutenant-colonel; and whether, as regards such promotions, due consideration has been given to the character of the duties performed by members of the Royal Army Medical Corps who have given their services to the sick and wounded of His Majesty's Forces in our home hospitals?
Captain GUESTIf, as I presume is the case, my hon. Friend is referring to officers of the Regular Royal Army Medical Corps, the present number of substantive lieutenant-colonels is 237, and promotion to the rank is made by selection based on the records of the whole service of the officers. If the question refers to acting promotion among Regular, Special Reserve, Territorial Force and Temporary officers, such promotion is governed by the establishments of the various units in which officers are serving, and the appointments are made by the local authorities concerned from the officers considered most suitable for the duties required.