13. Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSasked the Secretary of State for War, whether there are now a deputy-director and 36 general staff officers shown in the Army List as employed under the director of military intelligence at the War Office; and whether there will be an early reduction in these numbers, seeing that prior to the War there was no director of military intelligence and this work was done under the director of military operations, whose pre-War staff has only been reduced by 14 officers of these grades?
§ Sir R. SANDERSIn addition to the Deputy-Director, there are 34 General Staff officers in the Military Intelligence Directorate, excluding two Staff officers of the Royal Air Force who are attached. The Directorate has been reduced by 10 General Staff officers since March, 1920. By the end of the present financial year it is hoped to effect a further reduction of about 14 General Staff officers by the amalgamation of the Military Operations and Military Intelligence Directorates.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSDoes not this mean that eight more officers will be employed than before the War, and can the right hon. Gentleman say when we shall get back to pre-War establishment?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI cannot answer that off-hand.
§ Sir S. HOARECannot you make this reduction at once, and not wait until the end of the year?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI will represent that to my right hon. Friend.
§ Captain W. BENNHas not a circular been issued by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury asking that such reduction should be made?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThat was referred to in my answer.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is 206 one of the most important War Departments, and that it has always been found inadequate when war has broken out?