§ 25 Sir R. HUTCHISONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether His Majesty's Government have under consideration any general reduction of the civilian personnel of the War Office; and whether or not the Report of Lord Weir's Committee on Establishments contains any recommendations to effect such a reduction?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSThe personnel of the War Office, both military and civil, is being continually reduced, and a monthly Return of these and similar reductions in other public Departments is forwarded to Parliament. The ratio of the size of the civil staff to the volume of the incoming correspondence with which they have to deal is considerably less than before the War. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply which my hon. Friend has just given to No. 24.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my hon. and gallant Friend represent to the Cabinet that there is a widespread desire in the House that the Report of Lord Weir's Committee should be published?
Lieut. - Colonel GUINNESSThe Report has not yet been considered. I think it is obvious that these Committees will not be able to report so usefully unless their recommendations are treated as confidential.
§ Sir R. HUTCHISONWill it be possible for the Government to make some statement as to what they propose to do on this Report?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSThe Report has not yet been considered by the Army Council. No doubt, if it decides to carry out any of the recommendations, the House will have ample opportunity on the Estimates and otherwise of discussion.