HC Deb 05 November 1940 vol 365 cc1239-40W
Captain Plugge

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the appropriate Civil Service grades corresponding with each of the military ranks performing administrative, executive, clerical and typing duties in the headquarters and outstations, respectively, of the War Office; and what are the respective rates of pay and pay and allowances for each of the grades and ranks so employed?

Mr. Law

It is not possible to make a comparison of the military ranks performing administrative, executive, clerical and typing duties with the various grades of civil servants so employed in the War Office and out-station establishments, respectively, as the considerations governing their employment differ. The rates of pay of the civil staff of the War Office will be found under Vote 12 of Army Estimates, 1939, and of staff, regimental and departmental officers serving at home, in Appendix III of Army Estimates, 1939.

Mr. Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for War why key positions in the War Office Movement Control organisation are still being filled by people with absolutely no technical qualifications?

Sir E. Grigg

It is necessary that the organisation should include trained staff officers with an intimate knowledge of military requirements in addition to those selected for technical qualifications. All the officers employed in it are experts in some branch of the subject with which it deals.