§ 9. Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for War what action he has taken to prune the non-essential administrative units of the Army; how far this action has increased the fighting strength of the Army; what action he has taken to make good the deficiency of young Regular officers, senior non-commissioned officers and technicians, and the gradual decline in the number of long-Service Regulars.
§ Mr. HeadI intend to deal fully with these three important questions when I introduce the Army Estimates. I would ask the hon. Member to await that occasion.
§ Sir H. WilliamsMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has added up the vast number of civilians attached to the Army, shown in the Army Estimates published recently?
§ Mr. HeadWherever possible we have made attempts in administration and base depots to substitute civilians for soldiers because much of this work is unsuitable for soldiers, particularly for National Service men called up, and I believe it to be a sound policy.