§ 105. Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider making a statement to the Press indicating that many members of His Majesty's Forces have been reduced in rank owing to redundancy and that this demotion in no way reflects upon their character.
§ Mr. BellengerI am glad to have this further opportunity of removing any misconceptions on this point. The war-time promotion codes provide for the grant of temporary or acting rank to fill vacancies on the establishments, which are naturally much more numerous than in normal times. With the contraction of the Forces a very large number of appointments carrying higher rank have been and are being dispensed with. In consequence many officers, warrant officers and non-commissioned officers or equivalent in the three Services have been8W obliged to relinquish their higher acting or temporary rank. This reduction in rank is due entirely to the contraction of the Forces and in no way reflects on the military efficiency or the personal character of the individuals concerned; I hope that the information which I have now given will receive wide publicity.