§ 9. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Secretary of State for War what has been the total output per month from the Royal Signals O.C.T.U.; and whether he is satisfied that this is adequate to meet the needs of the Service.
§ Mr. LawsonThe average monthly output of the Royal Signals O.C.T.U. during the last five months has been 15. This rate of output has not been sufficient to meet the requirements of Royal Signals officers, but I hope that the response to the Short Service Commission Scheme will be sufficient to counterbalance this deficiency during the next few years.
§ Major Legge-BourkeAre we to take it from that reply that the answer given to a Question which I asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office on 14th May about deferments of Royal Corps of Signals officers in the Middle East, and today's reply, imply that there will not be sufficient officers to replace those officers, and that that is why deferments are made?
§ Mr. LawsonI think that is generally so, but I have a further answer to give on that point in relation to the Middle East.