§ 19. Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for War what were the numbers of officers and other personnel employed in the War Office in August, 1939; what are the corresponding numbers now; and what is the number of additional houses, apart from the War Office building in Whitehall, that are now used for the accommodation of the War Office staff.
§ Mr. ShinwellInformation as to the strengths of War Office headquarters branches in August, 1939, is not readily available. The total strength, military and civilian, in April, 1939, was approximately 3,700. The corresponding figure at 1st October, 1947, was 10,600. In April, 1939, 13 buildings and blocks of houses other than the main War Office building were occupied. At the present time 28 such buildings and blocks of houses are occupied. I would point out, however, that this comparison is of little real value as the buildings concerned range from large blocks of offices to quite small houses.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs it not a fact, whatever the comparison, that the amount of accommodation occupied is very much larger than it was in 1939 and that the strength of the War Office is very much larger also, and can the right hon. Gentleman give any good reason why, after two years of peace, there should be such a disproportionate increase in the War Office staff and the accommodation occupied?
§ Mr. ScollanIs not conscription the reason?
§ Mr. ShinwellOf course, the amount of accommodation now used is very much greater than it was before the war, but the need is greater.