23. Colonel NEWMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the total number of officers who form general headquarters, together with the total of their pay and allowances as on the 1st October, or other convenient date; and will he say what work is undertaken by General Headquarters which could not be performed by the War Office itself, and an economy be thereby effected?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe number of officers at General Headquarters, Great Britain, is seventy-one, and the total amount of their pay and allowances is £72,000 per annum. The responsibilities of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Great Britain, include arrangements for defence, the training of all officers and troops in Great Britain, with the exception of cadets, and discipline and administrative questions affecting the organisation and distribution of the troops. In addition, the inspectors of all Arms except those of Ordnance and Quartermaster-General's services come under the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief and report to him. The question of the retention or abolition of General Headquarters, Great Britain, is at present under consideration.