§ Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for War how Army welfare officers are recruited; and what steps are taken for the training of these officers, by means of lectures, classes, or conferences, with a view to making them efficient in the execution of their special duties?
§ Mr. A. HendersonArmy welfare officers are appointed by Territorial Army Associations in consultation with General Officers Commanding-in-Chief, Commands. They are not specially trained for their duties, but attend conferences convened by the county welfare officer concerned, who is responsible for controlling and co-ordinating their work. They receive a monthly directive from the War Office and attend lectures on subjects of importance for their work. The county welfare officer is assisted by a welfare committee appointed by the Territorial Army Association.
§ Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will furnish a tabular statement showing the present establishment of command welfare officers and administrative welfare officers at headquarters, county welfare officers and local welfare officers, respectively, serving in each Army Command, including London District, in Great Britain; and how many Army welfare officers serving at headquarters of the commands or elsewhere in Great Britain receive pay and/or allowances from Army or other public funds?
§ Mr. HendersonFollowing is the information: 1035W
ARMY WELFARE OFFICERS. Command. Command Welfare Officer. Assist. Command Welfare Officer. Administrative Officers. Attached for special duties. Area Welfare Officers. County Welfare Officers. Local Welfare Officers. Eastern 1 1 2 1 3 10 193 London District — 1 4 13 — 3 84 Northern 1 1 2 1 — 9 135 Scottish 1 1 1 1 4 33 136 Southern 1 — 3 — 1 9 217 South Eastern 1 — 5 1 2 4 113 Western 1 1 5 — 1 22 315 Northern Ireland District 1 — 2 1 — — 27 Anti-Aircraft 1 1 5 — — — — 8 6 29 18 11 90 1,220 No Army Welfare Officers serving at the headquarters of the Commands or elsewhere in Great Britain receive pay from Army Funds with the exception of five paid staff officers on the headquarters London District who have been appointed in addition to the unpaid staff shown on the above table. A grant-in-aid of £300 (£50 for London District and £100 for B.T.N.I.) has been authorised towards the personal expenses of the Welfare Officers in the Headquarter establishment of each Command with the addition of £50 if a woman administrative officer has been appointed to the Headquarters. County Territorial Army Associations may claim a grant on the basis of £30 in respect of each Area, County and local Welfare Officer. The grant is distributed at the discretion of Associations among the Welfare Officers in the County in accordance with their individual requirements and having regard to the expenses to which they are put.