§ 27. Mr. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for War if he has yet engaged in 1824 home commands the 10,000 temporary civilians agreed to by the Defence Committee as a means of releasing the soldiers now doing this work, for more appropriate duties.
§ Mr. BellengerI am not aware of any such agreement. The question of employing civilians in any posts which do not require to be filled by soldiers is one which is always in mind.
§ Mr. CallaghanHow can my right hon. Friend say that he is not aware of this instruction when, as I told him yesterday. I hold in my hand a copy of it?
§ Mr. BellengerMy hon. Friend has not been good enough to let me see what this copy is. If he will do so, I will immediately become aware of it.
§ Mr. CallaghanMight I ask this simple question: Is the Secretary of State proposing to make use of the agreement he has been given by the Defence Committee, or not?
§ Mr. BellengerIt would be very inappropriate for me to discuss in this House matters which are considered by the Defence Committee, but I have answered my hon. Friend's question, and have said that I am aware of no such agreement.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe answer is wrong.
§ Major HaughtonMay I ask an equally simple question? Are there any civilians employed in this particular work?
§ Mr. BellengerI should think so. It the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the Estimates which are presented every year he will find that there is considerable provision for many civilians to be employed by the War Department.