HC Deb 30 April 1941 vol 371 cc424-7
33 and 34. Colonel A. Evans

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether welfare officers are posted to the staff of the general officers commanding in chief of all formations of British troops serving overseas; and whether he will furnish full particulars of their rank, date of appointment and state whether they are paid or unpaid;

(2) the number of officers comprising the Directorate-General of Welfare and Education at the War Office, giving their rank and appointment; whether paid or unpaid; and furnish similar information covering commands in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Law

I propose, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, to circulate a full statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Colonel Evans

Can the Minister say whether welfare officers are appointed before the troops go abroad?

Mr. Law

That is left to the discretion of the General Officer Commanding.

Following is the statement: —

1. WELFARE.
(A) War Office.
APPOINTMENT. RANK.
1 Director-General … … … … … … … Major-General.
I Deputy Director-General … … … … … … Brigadier.
2 Assistant Directors of Welfare … … … … … Lieutenant-colonel.
5 Deputy Assistant Directors of Welfare … … … … Major.
7 Staff captains … … … … … … … {1 Major. 6 Captains.
1 Staff lieutenant … … … … … … … Lieutenant.
All these officers are paid from public funds.
(B) Home Commands.
The establishment of welfare officers at Command Headquarters is:—
Command. Command Welfare Officer (Colonel). Assistant Command Welfare Officer (Lt.-Col.). Administrative Officer (Major). Administrative Officer (Captain).
Eastern (a) … … … 1 1 4 3
South-Eastern … … … 1 1 2 2
Northern … … … … 1 1 2 2
Scottish … … … … 1 1 2 2
Southern … … … … 1 1 2 2
Western … … … … 1 1 2 2
Anti-Aircraft … … … 1 — 1 2
Northern Ireland District … 1 — — 1
(a) Also for London District. All these officers are unpaid.
(C) In addition to the above there are some 1,000 welfare officers in the United Kingdom, all of whom are unpaid and some of whom are civilians.
(D) Welfare officers are not posted by the War Office to the staff of formations serving overseas, but General Officers Commanding-in-Chief may appoint unpaid officers to supervise arrangements for the welfare of their troops if the circumstances warrant it.
II. EDUCATION.
(A) War Office.
APPOINTMENT. RANK.
1 Director-General (the same Director-General covers both Welfare and Education).
1 Inspector, Army Educational Corps … … … … Brigadier.
1 Assistant Inspector, Army Educational Corps … … Lieutenant-colonel.
1 General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade … … … … Lieutenant-colonel.
1 Military Assistant to Director of Army Education … … Major.
(The Director of Army Education is a civilian, and he has two Assistant Secretaries (civilian) to assist him.)
All these officers are paid from public funds.
(B) Commands and lower formations.
Command. Lt.-colonel. Majors. Captains. Subalterns.
Eastern … … … … 1 4 3 8
South-Eastern … … … 1 5 5 11
Northern … … … … 1 4 9 11
Scottish … … … … 1 5 4 6
Southern … … … … 1 7 8 8
Western … … … … {(Colonel)} 6 2 7
Anti-Aircraft … … … 1 2 12 1
Northern Ireland District… … — 1 2 2
London District … … … — 1 — 1
All these officers are paid from public funds.