asked the Secretary of State for War the present deficiency in the establishment, if any, according to the latest available Returns for 1913, of captains, lieutenants, and second lieutenants, respectively, in the following branches of the British Army, namely, the Regular Army, Army Reserve, Special Reserve, Extra special Reserve, and Territorial Force, respectively.

The information required is as follows:—Regular Army.Cavalry and Infantry.Vacancies in the rank of captain and lieutenant are at all times temporary, and are always covered by pending promotion. The present deficiency in second lieutenants amounts to 131, but this will practically disappear when the two next batches of candidates have been gazetted.Army Service Corps.There is at present a deficiency of six subaltern officers. There are no deficiences in the other branches.Special Reserve.