asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the number of officers in the Defence Forces who are holding acting rank, distinguishing between the several ranks; and whether, in view of the services of such officers during the emergency, it is proposed to confirm their acting appointments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Acting Ranks.
Particulars of the numbers of officers holding acting rank are contained in a tabular statement which will be published in the Official Reports.
Regular officers will be confirmed in rank provided there are vacancies in post-emergency establishments and the individual officer is considered suitable.
Non-regular officers who have applied for permanent commissions and who are so recommended by the military interview board, will—in accordance with the White Paper of May last—be commissioned as far as possible in their existing ranks. In their case, too, regard must be had to establishments.
Non-regular officers remaining on the reserve will be confirmed in their existing rank, provided they are considered suitable for retention in the rank.
Following is the tabular statement:—
OFFICERS OF THE DEFENCE FORCES.
Acting Rank |
Substantive Rank |
Permanent Force |
Reserve of Officers |
Reserve of Officers Temporary Commissions |
Reserve of Officers (Vol. Force) |
Reserve of Officers (Vol. Force) Temporary Commissions |
TOTAL |
Lieut.-General |
Major-Gen. |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
1 |
Colonel |
Major |
21 |
1 (1) |
— |
— |
— |
22 (1) |
Major |
Commandant |
56 |
6 (1) |
3 (1) |
5 |
— |
70 (2) |
Commandant |
Captain |
198 |
28 (3) |
22 (5) |
18 (3) |
— |
266 (11) |
Commandant |
Lieutenant |
— |
2 (2) |
— |
— |
— |
2 (2) |
Captain |
Lieutenant |
154 |
61 (15) |
172 (39) |
177 (24) |
27 (6) |
591 (84) |
Captain |
2/Lieut. |
— |
— |
— |
1 (1) |
— |
1 (1) |
Lieutenant |
Sub-Lieut. |
4 |
— |
— |
1 |
5 |
10 |
(Marine Rank) |
|||||||
Lieutenant |
2/Lieut. |
— |
1 (1) |
15 (5) |
16 (11) |
3 |
35 (17) |
Sub.-Lieut. |
Ensign |
— |
— |
— |
— |
10 |
10 |
434 |
99 (23) |
212 (50) |
218 (39) |
45 (6) |
1,008 (118) |
Figures in brackets denote Officers who are not on Permanent Service, but who are included in totals.
Could the Minister give us any idea, expressed as a percentage, how many of the regular acting ranks will be confirmed and how many of the non-acting ranks will be confirmed?
I could not say that offhand. The Deputy will probably get some idea from the tabular statement which is being circulated with the Official Reports.