§ 13. Major M'CALMONTasked the Secretary of State for War whether the opinions of the General Staff on questions of policy, as announced by him, are the views of the chief of the Imperial General Staff himself or the considered views of the officers of the General Staff at the War Office, or of all such officers; and whether commanders and General Staff officers of divisions and brigades of the Territorial Force are invited to forward their views to the War Office on such of the important questions as are connected with that force?
§ Colonel SEELYIt is in the discretion of the chief of the Imperial General Staff to avail himself of such advice as he thinks fit before tendering his opinion on any subject.
§ Major M'CALMONTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether that means that the chief of the Imperial General Staff can give his advice on his own initiative without consulting the officers of the General Staff at the War Office?
§ Colonel SEELYI have the fullest confidence in the chief of the Imperial General Staff, and I have no doubt that he always takes proper steps.
§ Major M'CALMONTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the last part of my question as regards the officers of the Territorial Force?
§ Colonel SEELYI have said that the chief of the Imperial General Staff exercises his discretion, and I think he always exercises it wisely.