§ 12. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now say how many officers of the Regular Army there are surplus to the establishment; how many of them are on half-pay; whether he can say how many retired, Special Reserve, Territorial, and temporary officers are still being employed; what is the approximate annual cost of such officers; and whether, in view of the fact that nearly two years have elapsed since the Armistice, drastic steps will be taken to reduce such employed officers?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)The establishments of officers of the Regular Army are not yet settled. The number of Regular officers at present serving are less than the numbers required to carry out the present duties. The number of Regular officers on half-pay is 819. They consist, to a large extent, of disabled officers. On the 1st October, 1920 (exclusive of those employed by the Government of India and other Government Departments) there were approximately the following numbers of retired, Special Reserve, Territorial Force, and temporary officers serving:—
168 The approximate annual cost of these officers is £3,500,000. The situation generally as regards officers has been engaging the earnest attention of the War Office for some considerable time, and reductions have been made as and when they have become possible. The position is being continually reviewed and the case of each individual officer is investigated from time to time.
Retired Pay 50 Special Reserve 600 Territorial 1,200 Temporary 4,150 Total 6,000