§ 11. Mr. Liddallasked the Secretary of State for War how many major-generals, brigadiers, colonels and lieutenant-colonels, respectively, are employed in the Directorate for Civil Affairs, at office headquarters and otherwise; and whether he will place a limit to the number of high-ranking officers so graded and employed?
§ Sir J. GriggI am circulating the particulars asked for by my hon. Friend in the OFFICIAL REPORT. No increase in the present numbers of these officers will be authorised unless it is unavoidable for essential work. But it is impossible at present to foresee what additional re- 1416 sponsibilities may be thrown on the directorate, and it would therefore not be possible to guarantee that no addition will be found necessary in the future.
§ Mr. LiddallIs it necessary to have all these appointments made, when a small number of competent people can do the work?
§ Sir J. GriggI do not accept the hon. Member's estimate of what a small number of competent people can do in running a country behind an advancing Army, when no civil administration exists. That is not a small job.
§ Following are the particulars:
§ The numbers of senior officers employed in the Directorate of Civil Affairs are as follow: At the War Office, 1 Major-General; 1 Brigadier (local Major-General), 3 Brigadiers, 1 Colonel, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel (local Colonel), 16 Lieutenant-Colonels; and at the Civil Affairs Staff Centre, 1 Brigadier and 5 Lieutenant-Colonels.