Mr. McNeilasked the Secretary of State for War who comprises the Directorate of Personal Services; and what are their duties, qualifications, previous service, ranks and ages?
§ Sir J. GriggThe Directorate of Personal Services comprises, under the director who is a major-general and the deputy director who is a brigadier, five branches, with an assistant adjutant-general of the rank of colonel or lieutenant-colonel at the head of each. Under the assistant adjutant-general in each branch are one or more deputy assistant adjutant-generals of the rank of major, under each of whom are one or more staff captains and the appropriate number of clerks, military and civilian. There are thus one major-general, one brigadier, two colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, nine majors, eleven captains, one lieutenant, two quartermasters, three retired officers and one civilian officer. The holders of the appointments change from time to time and the age distribution therefore varies. There are, however, at present five officers between the ages of 30 and 40, twelve between 40 and 50, sixteen between 50 and 60, and one over 60.
The subjects dealt with by the Directorate include courts-martial and disciplinary questions arising therefrom; the removal of officers from the Army; discharges of other ranks; courts of inquiry on fires and accidents; the administration 940W of regimental funds; statutory appeals and complaints; morale; questions relating to conscientious objectors; legal questions including courts-martial warrants; the manual of Military Law; the administration of martial law; the status and powers of command of officers; questions arising from military legislation, statutory rules and orders, the Visiting Forces Act and Allied Forces Act; disciplinary and legal questions affecting the Auxiliary Territorial Service and the Home Guard; all questions affecting detention barracks, military prisons and the military provost staff corps; financial questions referred for opinion connected with the pay, allowances, retired pay and pension of all ranks; appeals and complaints on such matters; the legal aspect of the attributability of disability to military service; claims against all ranks and civil claims against units; liaison with the Army Savings Associations; ceremonial; leave; medals; honours and distinctions; and bands. Various qualifications are therefore needed and officers are in general chosen for the different appointments as having experience of the matters with which they will have to deal.