HC Deb 26 November 1919 vol 121 cc1795-6
66. Brigadier-General CROFT

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that there are 4,500 Regular officers superfluous to the establishment of the Army, it is the intention of the War Office to forthwith remove from the Service all senior Regular officers who are medically unfit and likely to remain so, or who were sent home from the Expeditionary Force on adverse reports, with a view to accelerating the promotion of the very large number of captains and junior majors of the Regular Army who during the War successfully filled the places of the aforementioned senior officers, and to further allow the granting of Regular commissions to selected temporary officers?

Mr. CHURCHILL

All Regular officers who are permanently medically unfit are placed on the half-pay list. The Army Council have already under consideration the War records of all senior officers, and those who have shown themselves to be unfitted for the duties of their rank are being called upon to resign their commissions or to retire.

Brigadier-General CROFT

Is it not the fact that in many cases officers are now being reported upon by their peace-time commanders? In view of the reduction in the Army, and the urgent necessity for absolute efficiency, will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the question of war records shall be considered in every single case?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes, Sir.

Major Earl WINTERTON

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply refer to officers of all ranks—generals and lieutenant-generals as well as junior officers?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Certainly. The numbers of lieutenant-generals and major-generals which exist surplus to any establishment that we can contemplate in the future are very great.

Earl WINTERTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman be influenced in his action by the Reports of any Commissions on Mesopotamia or the Dardanelles, or anything else, as to whether any officers of high rank are efficient or not?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Everything will be taken into consideration I do not know what my Noble Friend has in mind.