§ 13. Mr. Wiggasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the official statement of Major-General B. C. H. Kimmins, Director-General of the Territorial Army, that 80 per cent. of National Service men granted commissions lived south of a line drawn across the country through Birmingham; and whether he will make a statement on this matter.
§ Mr. HeadThe statement was not, in fact, made personally by the Director of the Territorial Army. It is, however, correct so far as England is concerned, and this fact has been known for some years.
§ Mr. WiggWould the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this points quite clearly to the fact that the War Office selection board system has broken down, because people are being selected as officers on the basis not of their competence but of their accents?
§ Mr. HeadThe hon. Member should appreciate that since I have been in this job I have started a special school at Welbeck to try and obtain more officers from the north of England. I hope very much that it will he a success.