HC Deb 17 February 1920 vol 125 cc724-5W
Brigadier-General WIGAN

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of commissions granted in the Regular Army to non-commissioned officers and men since 1st January, 1919?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Five non-commissioned officers have been appointed to permanent commissions in the Regular Army since January, 1919. Four of these appointments had been approved before the Armistice, but as they were prisoners of war their cases had to be investigated before "Gazette" action could be taken. The fifth case was also approved before the Armistice by the Commander-in-Chief in India but it was not notified at the time and consequently promulgation in the "London Gazette" was delayed.

Mr. OMAN

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any permanent commissions in the Regular Army are being granted to any of those temporary officers who served with Regular units during the War and who, in pursuance of the tenure of an Army Order, forwarded their papers and applications for a permanent commission through the officers commanding their units to the War Office after the date of the Armistice of 11th November, 1918; and, if any such permanent commissions are being granted, when the gazetting of them will be announced?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the written reply which I gave yesterday to a question on this subject asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Abingdon.