HC Deb 16 November 1948 vol 458 cc183-5
7. Colonel Dower

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers have been appointed Director-General of the Territorial Army during the last two years and three months; and for what period has each served in this appointment.

Mr. Shinwell

Since November, 1945, three General officers have held the appointment of Director of the Territorial Army and Cadets. The first held the appointment for one year and two months, the second for one year and four months and the present Director will, on taking up another appointment in January, have served in his present appointment for eight months.

Colonel Dower

In view of the very complex and difficult problems involved in the formation of the Territorial Army, would it not be advisable to let these distinguished officers retain their office for a longer period?

Mr. Shinwell

Of course, it depends on the exigencies of the Service. If we require some high ranking officers to proceed overseas, that has to be done, and, therefore, these frequent postings occur. I am at one with the hon. and gallant Member in seeking continuity in important posts of this kind and I hope that will be achieved.

Mr. Bellenger

May I ask my right hon. Friend if it is not now the policy of the War Office to ensure a longer term of appointment for senior officers, and does he not agree that in such an important post as this it Would be desirable to have a General officer who is likely to stay for some time so that he is able to see results?

Mr. Shinwell

Of course, that is our intention, but hon. Members must be aware that we suffered some set-back because of the illness of General Horrocks, in the first instance, and because we were unable to send Major-General Lyne abroad.

11. Sir Ralph Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for War if it is intended that the general officer in charge of the Territorial Army and Auxiliary Forces shall in future revert to the previous position of being a director-general with a seat on the Army Council.

Mr. Shinwell

No, Sir. The responsibilities are not the same. Executive action on the Territorial Army matters is now the responsibility of the military members of the Army Council dealing with the same subjects for the Regular Army.

Sir R. Glyn

May I ask the Secretary of State why it was considered necessary in the past to have somebody in the Army Council who was responsible for the Territorial Army? Is not the Territorial Army now sufficiently important that its position and requirements should be directly represented on the Army Council?

Mr. Shinwell

The position of the Territorial Army is, in my judgment, so important that we have fully integrated it with the Army itself and, therefore, it is the responsibility not of one man, but of the Army Council.

Earl Winterton

Did the right hon. Gentleman consult the appropriate body—I think it is called the Territorial Forces Association—which represents the views of the Territorial Associations, before he made this change?

Mr. Shinwell

No. I was not responsible for the change, which occurred before I arrived at the War Office, although, that apart, I accept responsibility for the period during which I have occupied my Office. I did not consult the Territorial Forces Association. I consulted the Army Council.

Brigadier Head

In view of the importance of the Territorial Army, as stated by the Secretary of State, is it altogether wise that this very important post has been changed three times in such a short period?

Mr. Shinwell

I have replied to that question already. Of course, it is undesirable to change the post so frequently but, as I say, it is due to the exigencies of the Service.

Sir R. Glyn

May I ask the Secretary of State for War whether there is any individual on the Army Council solely responsible for the affairs of the Territorial Army?

Mr. Shinwell

Yes. We have delegated responsibility to one member of the Army Council.

Earl Winterton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the original appointment was made his predecessor stated that it was one of the best things done, namely, that it had direct representation on the Army Council? Why change that?

Mr. Shinwell

Of course, the Territorial Army, being fully integrated with the British Army, has direct representation on the Army Council.