Captain BENNasked the Prime Minister when work began upon the military portion of the history of the War; what is the total expenditure since the work began, including pay of staff, of authors engaged to write the history, and office accommodation and establishment charges; what is the present annual cost; and whether any portion of the military history has yet been published?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINWork began on the military portion of the History of the War on 17th February, 1916. The total cost of the staff and authors, after making allowance for the other duties performed by the staff, to 31st March, 1922, is about £11,000. The present annual cost on the same basis is about £2,200. Staff and papers (War Office and Air Ministry documents) of the Military and Air Branches of the Historical Section are housed in one building (2, Cavendish Square), the rental of which is £1,500 a year, and the establishment charges for the present financial year for these branches amount to about £500. No portion of the Military History has yet been published. The first volume is in the press and will be published shortly. Another volume of the Military History will also be published this year.