§ 57. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Defence whether he will direct the Service Departments to reduce the number of officers and other ranks at headquarters staffs at home and overseas.
§ Mr. SandysI can assure the right hon. Gentleman that it will be my aim to reduce administrative overheads, including headquarter staffs wherever practicable.
§ Mr. ShinwellDid the right hon. Gentleman read in one of our daily newspapers, a paper of repute, that on his retirement the ex-commander of our forces in Germany said, either in an interview or in an article, that the headquarters staff in Germany could be reduced without inconvenience?
§ Mr. SandysIt is not customary for Ministers to be asked to comment upon newspaper reports.