HC Deb 23 November 1937 vol 329 cc1003-4
4. Major Harvie Watt

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the fact that the newly appointed Deputy Director-General, Territorial Army, has been granted the rank of local major-general means that he will receive some lower rate of pay than that of major-generals of the Regular Army?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

No, Sir. The Deputy Director-General of the Territorial Army is receiving the same rate of pay as a major-general of the Regular Army in a post of this grade.

Major Watt

Will my right hon. Friend say what the word "local" implies in this connection?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

It means that he is major-general because the position which he holds entitles him to that rank. If the word "local" were omitted, it would involve a decrease of one in the number of Regular officers who would be entitled to hold that rank.

5. Major Watt

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the powers granted to, and the duties allotted to, the Deputy Director-General, Territorial Army, are such as to enable him to exercise a definite influence on the policy of the Army Council in relation to the Territorial Army?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

It is intended that the Deputy Director-General shall relieve the Director-General of some part of his duties, and, in particular, that he shall keep in close touch with Territorial feeling throughout the country.

Sir Francis Fremantle

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the duties of this officer will include those of looking after the medical services which are so essential for those who enter the Territorial Army?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

The Director-General is responsible for those directly under him for all Territorial services, and, of course, there is a medical service in the Army, and if in any respect it needs improvement, and my hon. Friend has a suggestion to make, I will willingly consider what he has to propose.

Sir F. Fremantle

Is there any Territorial Director-General, or has the Director-General of the Regular service to direct also the Territorial service?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

The Director-General of the Army Medical Service is, of course, a Regular officer, but he is none the less a doctor.