§ Mr. KENNEDYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Committee appointed last year to inquire into the system of entering officers for the combatant branches of the Army has since reported; whether the scheme formulated by the Committee includes any proposal to abolish or modify the present system of open competition, in favour of a system of nomination by the head masters if public schools; and whether the House of Commons will have an opportunity of considering the scheme before it becomes operative?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. With regard to the third part, the Report is about to be published, and the hon. Member will no doubt find an appropriate opportunity for its discussion, but I cannot undertake to postpone in the meantime all executive action in connection with the recommendations of the Committee.