§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War 685W what compensation will be afforded to officers who are compulsorily retired as a result of an adverse confidential report by commanding officers; and to what extent reductions in personnel will be effected by this means?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe hon. and gallant Member is, I think, under a misapprehension. No adverse report will be rendered or implied on any officer who may be retired under the arrangements which I indicated on the 15th March for the retirement with special compensation of those officers whose retention in the Service is least necessary, and no reflection on such officers will be involved in their retirement. The normal procedure of weeding out officers reported upon adversely as being inefficient or undesirable will be continued, but this procedure will not be utilised at all as a means of reducing personnel, and no compensation has been or will be given in such cases. With regard to the terms offered to efficient officers retired prematurely under the arrangements which I indicated on the 15th instant, I hope to be able to make a statement at an early date.