asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total shortage of commissioned officers in the Regular Army of the rank of second lieutenant, lieutenant, captain, and above at the last convenient date and at the corresponding date 12 months ago?

The ranks of captain and above are kept filled by promotion, so the total shortage in commissioned officers in the Regular Army is in lower ranks. On 1st November, 1936, the shortage was 506. Since then the strength has increased by 219, but establishments have increased by 646.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the grant of commissions from the ranks depends upon the number of qualified candidates available or upon the number of vacancies in the military colleges or upon a fixed quota; and whether he is taking any steps to encourage this source of supply?

The grant of combatant commissions from the ranks depends upon the number of qualified candidates within a fixed annual quota—at present 41. The question of reviewing the method of granting commissions from the ranks is one of the terms of reference of the Willingdon Committee.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the quota has not been altered for many years past, and that fully qualified men are being put back on the ground that there is no room for them in the quota?

I am not unsympathetic towards the question, but that is not quite the fact. The quota is 41, and applications did not reach that figure.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that during the last few weeks, of 12 candidates who were fully approved by commanding officers, only six were allowed entrance on the ground that there were no vacancies for the remaining six?

I was not aware of that, but as I have told my hon. Friend, this will be a subject of report by the Willingdon Committee, and I do not regard the question with any lack of sympathy.