§ Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNEasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether any decision has yet been arrived at relative to the definite establishment of the Tank Corps; whether he can state the 1945W numbers of all ranks it is contemplated to retain in the immediate future; and whether he can define the policy it is intended to pursue in regard to the relation of the corps to the other arms of the Imperial Forces;
(2) what are the present plans for completing the peace establishment of the Tank Corps; whether it is the intention of the War Office to fill up existing vacancies from other branches of the Service; and, if so, on what terms of pay and service such officers or men will definitely be incorporated in the new corps and what security of tenure of rank will be provided on transference?
§ Mr. FORSTERNone of these matters has yet been settled. The terms of pay will be promulgated with the new rates of pay for the Army generally—it is hoped, very shortly.
§ Lieut.-Colonel BURGOYNEasked the Secretary of State for War what is the name and rank of the officer immediately responsible for the officer personnel of the Tank and Machine Gun Corps; what seniority does he hold or has he held in either of these corps; and, if never having served in either of them, will he consider placing in this position an officer with an intimate and immediate knowledge of the corps with which he deals?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not quite clear what my hon. and gallant Friend means by "responsible for the officer personnel of these corps." The officer in charge of the personnel branch of the War Office which deals with the Machine Gun Corps and Tank Corps has held the rank of colonel in the former corps. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.