HC Deb 15 July 1947 vol 440 cc198-200
14. Wing-Commander Millington

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the purpose and cost of the present trip abroad of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Bellenger)

The Chief of the Imperial General Staff has undertaken this tour at the request of His Majesty's Government and on the invitations of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. Its purpose is to enable him to inform himself at first hand of conditions and problems in Australia, New Zealand and the Far East, and to discuss some aspects of defence matters of mutual interest, and particularly those affecting the Army, with Australian and New Zealand Ministers and Army Staffs. On his way out he has taken the opportunity of visiting the Viceroy in India and of seeing British troops and studying local problems in Malaya. After leaving New Zealand he will stay for a few days as the guest of General MacArthur, Supreme Commander Allied Forces in the Pacific, and will see something of the British troops in Japan. I am informed that the expenditure on petrol, oil and maintenance in connection with the flight would be about £10,000.

Wing-Commander Millington

Whilst nobody would disagree with the desire of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff to inform himself on imperial and world problems, may I ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is considerable concern at the fact that our chief soldier spends much of his time—and it would appear most of his time—discussing past history in all corners of the world instead of spending his time running the War Office in this country?

Mr. Bellenger

His presence at the War Office is not entirely necessary to run the War Office as a Department. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the purpose of his visit is one which His Majesty's Government have approved, and that I am entirely satisfied that he is doing useful work.

Mr. Eden

Is it not part of the duty of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff to see our troops overseas, where many of them are carrying out duties of an onerous character? Would not the House therefore welcome the discharge of that duty?

Earl Winterton

Would the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that when a soldier proceeds abroad upon the Orders of His Majesty's Government he will be protected in this House from sneers and derisive comments?

Sir Ralph Glyn

Is it not incumbent upon the holder of the office of Chief of the imperial General Staff to tour the Empire and to consult with the Dominions?

Mr. Bellenger

Yes, Sir, certainly, and in any case he gets the approval of the Secretary of State for War before he goes.

Mr. Derek Walker-Smith

As the Chief of the Imperial General Staff does not run the War Office, and as the Secretary of State does not appear to do so either, who does?

Mr. Bellenger

I can only assume that the hon. Gentleman is lacking in military knowledge. Otherwise, he would not say that about the Secretary of State for War.

Sir William Darling

Is the right hon Gentleman aware that the flight costing £10,000 could have been done for £6,000 by private enterprise?

Mr. Bellenger

I have taken the precaution before giving this answer to see what the flight would have cost by private enterprise. It would have cost much more.

Major Legge-Bourke

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the desires of the Commonwealth will be considered before the desires of the Commonwealth Party of Chelmsford?