Mr. THOMSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War the numbers employed at the War Office and the total personnel in the Army in 1913–14 and at the present time?
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSThe numbers are
1913–14. Present time. Employed at the War Office 1,580 2,820 Personnel in the Army (Vote A, exclusive of "additional numbers") 182,300 156,129 I need hardly point out that the size of the Army is only one of the many factors affecting the size of the War Office staff The hon. Member will realise that much work in the nature of war aftermath, in connection, for instance, with medals, occupied lands and buildings, soldiers effects, has still to be disposed of. Further, the permanent organisation of the post-War Army is, however, so much more complicated and technical, in such matters as tanks, signalling, cost accounting, than the pre-War Army was, that there is no prospect that the strength of the War Office can even be brought down to the pre-War figures.