§ Sir R. Youngasked the Secretary of State for War for what reasons, physical or other, men of Grade A are placed in the Pioneer Corps; whether he is aware that some men who have brothers or other relatives in other corps resent having been placed in a corps where there is no chance of advancement beyond the rank of corporal; and will he make arrangements for such men, desiring to be soldiers where ability is recognised, to be transferred on making application to their commanding officer?
§ Mr. SandysThe strenuous nature of the tasks which fall to the Pioneer Corps, and the localities in which they may have to be performed, make it necessary to include in the corps a proportion of men of the highest medical category. I cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that ability goes unrecognised. I am informed that a soldier's prospects of promotion are at least as good in the Pioneer Corps as they are in other corps, nor is such promotion restricted to the rank of corporal.
§ Sir A. Southbyasked the Secretary of State for War whether enemy aliens who have been permitted to join the Pioneer Corps are required to wear uniform at all times?
§ Mr. SandysIn regard to the wearing of uniform, enemy aliens in the Pioneer Corps are subject to precisely the same rules as other soldiers.