HC Deb 29 April 1947 vol 436 cc211-2W
Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for War how many commissions were granted in the Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry during the year 1946; what proportion was granted to men with service in the ranks; what was the average length of service in the ranks; and how many of the officers commissioned were educated at grant-aided primary and secondary schools.

Mr. Bellenger

In the Foot Guards, 64 permanent, 119 emergency and five short service commissions were granted during 1946; in the Household Cavalry 23 permanent and 23 emergency commissions. All officers granted commissions for the first time in 1946 had previous service in the ranks, but among the officers who were granted permanent or short service commissions while already holding commissions of other types there may be a very small number who were prewar Territorial Army or Supplementary Reserve officers without service in the ranks. I regret that the information asked for in the last two parts of the Question is not readily available and could not be obtained without a disproportionate amount of work.