HC Deb 16 April 1919 vol 114 cc2914-5W
Mr. HURD

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what are the proportions of officers to other ranks serving in the Army at present and released to date, respectively; and what steps are being taken to hasten the rate of release of officers?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The following figures show the proportion of officers to other ranks serving in the Army at various dates:

July, 1914 … … 4.4 per cent.
October, 1918 … … 5 per cent.
April, 1919 … … 7.3 per cent.
It will be seen that the proportion at present is considerably higher than in prewar days and in normal war-time.

The reasons for this are as follows

  1. (1) Release of officers has been somewhat slower than that of other ranks owing to 2915 the necessity of ensuring that due proportion between various ranks is maintained and the consequent detailed stocktaking necessary before carrying out releases. This is now correcting itself and the release of officers is now proceeding a great deal faster.
  2. (2) A proportionately larger number of officers than other ranks must be temporarily maintained for supervision and administration in the various special services connected with the demobilisation of the Army.
  3. (3) The establishment of officer cadres are practically complete, whereas the strength in other ranks is considerably below establishments. As an indication of this I may point out that recruiting from civil life is proceeding busily, whereas comparatively few commissions are being granted.

The great improvement which has recently taken place in the rate of release of officers will be seen from the following figures:

Of all ranks demobilised in January the percentage of officers was 2.91
Of all ranks demobilised in February the percentage of officers was 2.87
Of all ranks demobilised in March the percentage of officers was 4.63
Of all ranks demobilised in April (calculated to noon, 9th April, 1919) 7.32

or putting it in another way:

In January the ratio of officers to other ranks demobilised was one officer to 33.25 other ranks.

In February the ratio of officers to other ranks demobilsed was one officer to 33.83 other ranks.

In March the ratio of officers to other ranks demobilised was one officer to 20.54 other ranks.

In April (calculated to noon, 9th April,1919)the ratio of officers to other ranks demobilised was one officer to 12.63 other ranks

The total of officers released is now over 3½ per cent. of the men, and the rate is steadily improving.