§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will introduce the requirement that all candidates for officer selection shall have served a minimum of one year in the ranks.
§ Mr. SoamesThere are already arrangements in each of the services to commission suitably qualified personnel from the ranks, including those of junior rank. We have no plans to introduce a requirement that all candidates for officer selection serve a minimum of one year in the ranks as this is considered neither essential nor cost-effective.