HC Deb 29 November 1949 vol 470 cc919-20
6 and 7. General Sir George Jeffreys

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) the numbers of officers, other ranks and civilians, respectively, now employed in the War Office; and what were the corresponding numbers on 1st January, 1939;

(2) how many buildings in addition to the main building in Whitehall are now in use as office accommodation for the personnel of the War Office; and what was the number of buildings used for this purpose on 1st January, 1939.

Mr. M. Stewart

Information as to the strengths of War Office headquarters branches on 1st January, 1939, is not readily available. The total strength, military and civilian, in April, 1939, was approximately 3,700. The corresponding figure at 1st October, 1949, was 7,013, consisting of 1,346 officers, 702 other ranks and 4,965 civilians. These figures exclude certain War Office staff located at command headquarters.

In April, 1939, 13 buildings and blocks of houses, other than the main War Office building, were occupied. At the present time 17 such buildings and blocks of houses are occupied. As, however, has previously been pointed out to the hon. and gallant Member, this comparison is of little real value as the buildings concerned range from large blocks of offices to quite small houses.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Have these increases in personnel resulted in increased effIciency or increased readiness for war of the troops; if not, can either the increased numbers or the cost involved be justified; and by reducing the staffs cannot the Secretary of State reduce the buildings of the War Office to at least what they were in April, 1939, and if possible still further?

Mr. Stewart

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will consider the responsibilities we were fulfilling and the numbers of men in the Army at the two dates he will appreciate that there were bound to be larger figures at the later date. The figures for both staff and buildings have fallen rapidly in recent years, and we are giving particular attention to not occupying more premises than are essential.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Is it not a fact that the numbers are very much greater than is actually necessary; that there is far too much pen and ink work as opposed to the practical training work now done in the War Office and in the commands; and will the Under-Secretary see that economies are made in the national interest and in the interests of the Army?

Mr. Stewart

Well, in the last two years these numbers have been reduced by about 30 per cent., which suggests that we are anxious not to have excessive paper work.

Mr. W. J. Brown

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that a very large number of military personnel in the headquarters of the War Office are not employed on work that could be better done by civilian staff?

Mr. Stewart

That is rather a different question, but I have no reason to believe that is so.

Sir Waldron Smithers

Is not this part of the plan of the Government to implement their fallacious promise of full employment?