HC Deb 19 February 1957 vol 565 cc190-1
20. Mr. Bellenger

asked 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. Hare

I cannot vet make a forecast.

Mr. Bellenger

Does 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, 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. Hare

I 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.