§ 20. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War what redundancy there will be amongst senior and junior officers on the active list as a result of proposals by Her Majesty's Government to reduce overseas commitments.
§ Mr. BellengerDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the continued, inspired Press reports about withdrawal of our troops from positions overseas is bound to have a deleterious effect on many of the junior and senior officers, 191 who must be anticipating some distribution of bowler hats? Therefore, does he not consider that he ought to make a statement to this House as early as possible, and not later than his presentation of the Army Estimates?
§ Mr. HareI cannot give any definite date as to when I shall be able to make a statement on the subject, but I understand and sympathise with what the right hon. Gentleman says, and I can assure him that there will not be unnecessary delay.