HC Deb 25 June 1918 vol 107 cc865-6
11. Colonel BURN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received a Report on the conduct of British officers in America who were sent over to assist in organising the Army that is in process of formation in that country; if so, will be state the nature of its contents; and if he will state how many of the officers sent out to America by the War Office have seen service in France or other theatres during the present War?

Mr. MACPHERSON

The numerous reports received of the work and conduct of the officers and N.C.O.s of the British Training Mission in the United States have invariably been excellent, and speak of our men as not only showing zeal and keenness in their work, but as being an example in every way of what soldiers should be. In April the Inspector-General of the United States Army said that both he and his inspecting officers had been much impressed by the example and the work of our groups in the various camps. Among the very many reports from American divisional generals there has been no word of criticism of the conduct of British officers or N.C.O.s, who have always been spoken of in laudatory and grateful terms. As regards the last part of the question, 95 per cent. of the officers have seen active service in the present War, and the remainder were selected as having exceptional technical qualifications for training purposes.

Colonel BURN

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a paragraph or article in a leading London evening newspaper which commented adversely on the conduct of British officers of the Mission in America, and as such comments could only do harm by weakening the strong ties between Americans and ourselves—

Mr. SPEAKER

We need not worry much about what appears in the evening papers.