13. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Cuthbert Head- lamasked the Secretary of State for War whether the recommendations on the Auxiliary Territorial Service contained in the 12th Report from the Select Committee on National Expenditure are to be adopted by the War Office?
§ Captain MargessonEffect has already been given to most of the recommendations made in the report.
§ Sir C. HeadlamIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the large majority of the officers in the A.T.S. would prefer to be under the command of a major-general rather than a woman veteran of the last war?
Viscountess AstorWill my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that it is because they did not get a woman soon enough that they are in the mess they are in now? Was it not because of a man that there was complete failure and that he has left the War Office?
Miss WardWill my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that there is great dissatisfaction about the organisation, and will he consider having an independent inquiry into the whole administration?
§ 14. Sir C. Headlamasked the Secretary of State for War whether full con- 9 sideration has been given to the replacement of non-combatant man-power in the Army by members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service; and, whether provision will be made for more binding terms of service, and more attractive rates of pay for members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service thus employed?
§ Captain MargessonIt is the policy to continue replacement by the Auxiliary Territorial Service of man-power in the Army wherever possible. The conditions of service in the Auxiliary Territorial Service are now under review.
§ Sir C. HeadlamIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that according to the existing Regulations it is impossible to employ women in vital work in the Army? I hope that he will take that into consideration when he is changing Regulations or considering new ones?
§ Captain MargessonYes, Sir.
§ Dr. Edith SummerskillAre we to gather from that answer that the right hon, and gallant Gentleman is going to adopt the same methods as other Government Departments and give equal pay for equal work?
§ Captain MargessonNo, Sir. I did not say anything of the sort.
§ 15. Sir C. Headlamasked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any age limit now in force for officers of the Auxiliary Territorial Service?
§ Captain MargessonThe age limits for the appointment of officers of the Auxiliary Territorial Service are the same as for the enrolment of other ranks, that is, 18 to 43 years, except in the case of ex-service women and women with very exceptional qualifications who may be enrolled up to 50 years. All officers are appointed after a period in the ranks, and it is rare for any to be selected as young as 18 or 19. No age has been fixed at which the employment of Auxiliary Territorial Service officers is terminated.
§ Sir C. HeadlamIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that many ladies now serving in the A.T.S. are past their prime and that much resentment is felt by junior officers who feel, probably with truth, that they could do the work of these senior ladies with more efficiency and with fresher minds?
Viscountess AstorWhat about this House of Commons and the Cabinet? We have octogenarians here, and doing very well.
18. Miss Wardasked the Secretary of State for War at what date, for the first time, he proposes dependants' allowances should be payable to members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service entitled to them?
§ Captain MargessonThese allowances will be issued with effect from 27th January, 1941, or such later date as the conditions are fulfilled. My hon. Friend will understand that it will take time for claims to be received and investigated.
Miss WardCan my right hon. and gallant Friend say whether the financial department of the War Office has passed the arrangement and whether the forms have yet been sent out?
§ Captain MargessonI must ask for notice on that specific point. I will look into it.