41. Captain Duncanasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that over 25,000 tons of paper were used by the Army last year and that this represents an increase over previous years; and, in view of the promises given in the past to reduce the amount of paper used, what steps he is taking to effect substantial economies in its use?
§ Mr. A. HendersonI think my hon. and gallant Friend in the second part of his Question has in mind the statements which have from time to time been made, as, for example, by my right hon. Friend in his Estimates speech, about the steps taken to reduce paper work and correspondence in the Army. While I have no doubt there will always be room for improvement, a great deal has been and is being achieved by a day-to-day watch on a vast mass of detail, and the efforts in this direction will by no means be relaxed. But improve- 994 ment of organisation and methods with a view to a reduction of paper work does not necessarily mean that the total quantity of paper used for Army purposes will be reduced. With the increasing complexity of Army organisation and equipment there is, for example, a constant need at home and abroad for fresh technical and training manuals, and there is an increasing demand for paper for educational matter in the Army. These demands must necessarily be met.
Captain DuncanIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that the War Office itself is the worst offender, through never writing on both sides of the paper, and is he prepared to take action?
§ Mr. HendersonYes, Sir.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that it is the practice in the War Office and other Government Departments for highly-paid people to write out the letters by hand and to send them to other people to be typed? Would it not be a good thing to educate highly-placed people to dictate letters, in order to save time and paper?