§ 30. Mr. John Lewisasked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for the Army Council to send officers to inspect the commands without notice that the inspection is to take place.
§ Mr. BellengerInspections of troops and of administrative services in commands are carried out at intervals by senior officers on behalf of the Army Council. Owing to the scope of these inspections, the distances and time involved, and the necessity for arranging 1751 accommodation in advance, it is not possible for them to be made without previous notice. Within commands, formation commanders frequently visit units and carry out informal inspections without notice.
§ Mr. LewisIs the Minister aware that this practice of giving notice of intention to inspect results in precisely the same cleaning up and window dressing as occurs when it is known that one of his right hon. Friends is expected in the factories?
§ Mr. BellengerI cannot speak for civil Departments; I have enough to do speaking for the War Office.