HC Deb 13 March 1923 vol 161 c1263
38. Captain ARTHUR EVANS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number and rank of the officers composing the British Military Mission in Paris, and the number and rank of the officers composing the French Mission in London?

Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

The British section of the Allied Military Committee of Versailles consists, at the present time, of four officers, namely, one Major-General, who is also Military Attaché accredited to France, Spain and Portugal, two Lieutenant-Colonels and one Captain. There is also an assistant Military Attaché a Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, who is occupied entirely on the normal duties of a Military Attaché

The French Military Mission, in London, is composed of one Général de Brigade (Major-General), Military Attaché, one Lieutenant-Colonel, assistant Military Attaché, one Captain, assistant to the Military Attaché.

The relative strength of the British and French Missions is not comparable, as the French Mission, in London, is occupied solely on Military Attaché's duties, whereas the British Mission in Paris is a section of the Allied Military Committee of Versailles with special duties.

Captain EVANS

Is the French General who was attaché to the French Mission in London last week still on the strength or has he gone back to barracks?

Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

I informed the hon. Member last week that this officer was a full General because I went by the Foreign Office list and I am afraid the Foreign Office does not take quite the same notice of military details as the War Office. As a matter of fact, this officer was the Military Attaché.

Major PAGET

Is the Major-General in Paris paid at the rate of a Major-General or as an ordinary attaché?

Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESS

I should like notice of that question.