asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers have been given three years' commissions under A.C.I. 837/46.

On 15th January, 1,457 officers had applied for these commissions. Three hundred and two had been accepted, 678 rejected and 477 were still being considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the number of rejections has caused great disappointment among these men who are over 40 years of age, many of whom are out of work? Would he at least see that the applications which are under consideration are speeded up so that an early decision is arrived at?

Yes, Sir, the examination of the applications which are still under consideration is going quite satisfactorily.

Can my right hon. Friend say why it is that such a large number of men who have served in the Armed Forces and have been discharged and now wish to take short service commissions are being refused? Is there any special reason?

One of the reasons is that we are having quite a large quantity of applications for short service commissions. Indeed, the numbers from our point of view are very satisfactory.