HC Deb 08 March 1917 vol 91 c540
85. Mr. WATT

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether any members of the Staff serving at home have not yet seen active service in this War; if so, how many of these are so placed; will he say that such men are more able and suited for Staff work than men who have been engaged for months or years at any of the fronts; and see that some other plan is followed in future?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister when he was Secretary of State, on 27th November, to the hon. Member for Derby. It would entail much work to give any accurate information on this point. Some members of the Staff at home have not seen active service, through no fault of their own. Others are not physically fit for active service; others have seen active service. But I would remind my hon. Friend that it is not always the case that mere experience of active service fits an officer for Staff work.