HC Deb 06 December 1937 vol 330 cc37-9
Mr. Arthur Greenwood

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has anything to add to the statement published in the Press regarding certain changes in the administration of his Department.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Hore-Belisha)

The changes referred to will all have taken effect by the New Year. If any further appointments are made the House may depend upon it that merit, character and ability, as well as suitability for any particular office, will be the guiding considerations, regardless of youth, age or mere seniority. All appointments will be made on the assumption that the holders will be in all respects fit and able to hold their posts in conditions of active service. It is the intention to associate with the formation and direction of policy those outside the War Office holding the higher commands, thus giving to those who will be called upon to lead the troops in the field the maximum of responsibility, and to the General Staff the maximum of freedom from detailed administration. His Majesty's Government would like to place on record their high appreciation of the long and distinguished services rendered over many years to the State by those senior officers who have vacated their posts, and not least of their public spirit in vacating them to facilitate these changes.

Mr. Greenwood

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I ask him whether, in future, when he has any statement of this importance to make, he will make it to the House to which he is responsible?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

No, Sir; it would be completely without precedent to announce promotions and appointments otherwise than in the manner in which these were announced.

Mr. Greenwood

May I put this point to the right hon. Gentleman? Is not the statement which he has just made a declaration of a change of policy on the part of His Majesty's Government, and where change of policy is involved, is not the House entitled to hear at first hand from the Minister, rather than from outside sources, what the change of policy is?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

That, of course, is another matter, and I should always be pleased to announce any policy, as I have done this afternoon, to the House. But promotions and appointments, to which the original question was directed, must be announced in the constitutional manner and in accordance with precedent.

Mr. Shinwell

In the appointments which have been made, if the persons appointed to these posts are to be free, as the right hon. Gentleman said, from detailed administration, are we to understand that they are no longer to be responsible as in the past, for Departments?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I did not say they would be free. I said they would be freer. The duty of the General Staff is to plan, and it is our hope that they may be as free as possible from detailed administration, and that those who have to lead the troops in the field shall have the maximum of responsibility. That was my statement.

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand from that answer that the heads of various Departments such as the Ordnance Department, the Royal Army Service Corps, the Adjutant-General's Department and so forth, are not to have their Departmental heads represented on the Army Council?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I did not refer to them. I was referring to the General Staff.

Sir A. Knox

Is it not true that these two distinguished officers were, in effect, dismissed at a few hours' notice; and does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that their 40 years' experience might have continued to be of value to the country in supplementing the knowledge which he has been able to obtain in six months acquaintance with the War Office?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

The hon. and gallant Gentleman, perhaps, has some acquaintance with the facts which I do not possess. All that I know is that these officers—and I have paid them due tribute for what they did—retired to facilitate the promotion of younger officers.

Sir A. Knox

Is it not true that these officers were asked to retire, the right hon. Gentleman having previously obtained the consent of the Cabinet?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the public statement which was made and which was authorised by them. If they wish to make any change in that statement, it will be for them, and not for me.

Sir A. Knox

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish the correspondence with these two officers and their replies, in view of the fact that silence is imposed on these officers by the regulations, and he has free access to the Press every day?

Mr. Sandys

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his new announcement of policy has been warmly welcomed by the entire country?

Mr. Lawson

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of these sudden and drastic changes, he is quite satisfied that all is well with the Committee of Imperial Defence?