§ 61. Mr. Nigel Fisherasked the Minister of Defence if he will review the use of manpower in the Service Departments in order to make more men available for active service.
§ Mr. StracheyThe Service Ministers are keenly alive to the importance of organising the manpower at their disposal in such a way as to achieve the greatest military effect.
§ Mr. FisherIn that case, would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the latest figures indicate that there is one man at the War Office for every 10 soldiers, one at the Air Ministry for every eight airmen, and one at the Admiralty for every four sailors? Does he regard that as satisfactory? Does he not think that the many Service personnel at desk jobs could be relieved, and the work given to Civil Service clerks, who would do it just as efficiently and at rather lower cost to the public?
§ Mr. StracheyThe degree to which civilians are employed on these tasks has been constantly extended. This matter has been very carefully considered by the staffs concerned in all three Departments.