§ Mr. Dunnasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the name of the officer in charge of welfare for the Army; how long he has held the appointment; whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory state of welfare generally in the Army; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy this state of affairs by seeing that overlapping is stopped, that welfare officers are given means of helping the troops, and by overhauling the whole machinery so that the troops may have efficient service?
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§ Captain MargessonMajor-General H. Willans was appointed Director-General of Army Welfare and Education on 1st December last. He is fully aware of the problems with which he has to deal and of the importance of effecting improvements where these are called for. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, there was no welfare organisation in the last war, and the existing organisation, which reflects the greatest credit on those who have been responsible for its inception, has had to be improvised. My hon. Friend will also be aware that the work of welfare officers in the commands is on a purely voluntary basis, and I would like to express the appreciation of the Army to all those who have given so much devoted service to the troops.