HC Deb 23 April 1940 vol 360 c20
20. Mr. Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the four highest ranks of the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service are titled ladies and how many not titled; and how many titled ladies there are in all higher ranks and how many not titled?

Mr. Stanley

As regards the four highest ranks, there are two chief controllers, namely, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and Dame Helen Gwynne Vaughan; there are at present no senior controllers or controllers; and there are 26 chief commandants, of whom seven have titles and 19 have not. The only other senior officers are those with the rank of senior commandant, of whom there are 49, 13 with titles and 36 without titles.

Mr. Thorne

Is the Noble Lady the Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) one of them?

Brigadier-General Sir Henry Croft

Is not it a fact that several of these ladies are only titled because of the recognition of their great services in the last War?

Forward to