said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether the scheme proposed for promoting Officers by selection above the rank of Captain, in the event of the abolition of purchase, is to be extended to the Ordnance Corps, the Indian Army, the Marines, and the non - purchase branches of the service generally; and, what will be the position of Candidates for direct Commissions who have passed their examinations but have not yet been appointed, and also of those gentlemen whose names are now down for a Commission, and are waiting their turn for examination?
Sir, the statement I made had no reference to the Native Indian Army, the Marines, or to the Ordnance Corps. The detailed regulations are, as I stated, under the consideration of eminent military officers, and it would be premature to make any statement as to their application or otherwise to the Ordnance Corps. The proposals will not affect the Indian Army or the Marines. There are now, I think, about 500 candidates who have already passed. They will receive commissions in their turn according to the prospect held out to them by the regulations published at the time. The commissions will be without purchase, and will be given subject to any conditions which it may be thought right to impose for insuring competency, of which full notice will be given. As regards those now waiting for examination, they will have to enter the Army through one or other of the modes which may be laid down. Variety seems to be desirable in this respect, and the modes to which I referred as probable were— 1. Sandhurst, by competitive examination. 2. Subalterns of the Militia. 3. The Universities, as recommended by the Royal Commission. 4. General public, by competitive examination.