§ 77. Mr. Rees-Williamsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an officer who has been released from His Majesty's Forces is ineligible for a permanent commission and that he must apply either to go back in an emergency commission for a period of at least one year, or to be granted a short service commission; and whether he will alter this rule in the case of suitable applicants.
§ Mr. LawsonI am aware of the rule so far as the Army is concerned, and I think it is a reasonable one. The officers in question were given every opportunity to apply before their release and, if they were nearing release, could have continued to serve until the results of their applications were known. They can also apply if they return on short service commissions.