§ 28. Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the use of manpower in the Army; to what extent he has been able to replace military personnel in sedentary and non-essential jobs with civilian and female labour; and whether he can give an assurance that it is his policy to cut down manpower in the Army commensurate with the maintenance of an adequate fighting force.
§ Mr. HeadIt is my object to release as many fit and active men as possible for fighting by reducing the tail and by the wider employment in static jobs both of civilian staff, including retired officers, and of members of the Women's Royal Army Corps. To this effect, Headquarters have been cut, about 10,000 men have been combed from the tail and an increased number of women and civilians are now employed by the Army.