asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Territorial Army officers are not being allowed to occupy the higher posts in the army, that brevet colonels of several years standing in the Territorial Army have been relieved of their brevet rank and that retired Regular officers are being brought back in the service as colonels sometimes after having been on the retired list for as long as 14 years; and whether, as Territorial Army officers complain that promotion is not being given on merit in accordance with assurances, he will give the necessary instruction to remove these grievances?

There are, at present, 98 Territorial Army officers of the rank of colonel and above holding higher posts in the army. The relinquishment, on embodiment, by Territorial Army officers of the rank of brevet colonel, which they are given in peace, if recommended, on completion of tenure of command as lieutenant-colonel, places these officers on an equality with Regular lieutenant-colonels who do not obtain the rank of brevet colonel in the same circumstances. On disembodiment, the brevet rank will be restored. It is the intention that promotions and appointments during the war should be governed entirely by merit.

Is my hon. Friend aware that correspondence that I have received shows that there is a fair amount of dissatisfaction among Territorial Army officers in regard to the position, and will he be good enough to discuss it with my right hon. Friend so as to alleviate the position if possible?

I shall be very glad to discuss it with my hon. Friend.