§ 37. Brigadier Lowasked the Secretary of State for War how many officers holding T.A. commissions were commanding T.A. armoured corps, artillery and infantry units on 3rd September. 1939; and, of these, how many were commanding the same units on 1st July, 1940, and how many had been promoted to the rank of brigadier by that date.
§ Mr. BellengerTo obtain the information asked for would involve considerable research and reference to records. Which I feel could not be justified in present circumstances.
§ Brigadier LowHow has the right hon. Gentleman been able to come to a decision whether or not he should appoint Regular officers to the Territorial Army in the future, if he has taken no account of these figures?
§ Mr. BellengerThe difficulty at the moment is to get the number of gentlemen 965 who can give the time that will be necessary to fill these positions. For the moment we have had to appoint Regular officers. Later on I hope it will be possible for gentlemen who have had previous war service to assist us.
§ Brigadier LowBearing in mind the right hon. Gentleman's answer to a previous Question in connection with the maintenance of temporary rank, would it not help to solve his problem if he appointed many of the large number it lieutenant-colonels there are at present to command some of the Territorial units?
§ Mr. BellengerI do not think that arises from this Question, which asked for certain information which I am unable to give.
§ Colonel ClarkeDoes not the right hon. Gentleman realise that it will not be too easy to recruit men to these Territorial units after this change is made, if these units do not possess officers recruited locally, and will the right hon. Gentleman do his best in that direction?
§ Mr. BellengerYes, Sir. I realise the difficulty to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has drawn my attention.