§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by Army welfare officers, many of whom have served in that capacity for more than three years and have had previous military service, due to the appointment of officers with no previous welfare service and, in some cases, of no military service, to deal with entertainments and the provision of amenities, while local welfare officers ate left with, as their main duty, dealing with matrimonial disputes; and whether a record of the services of all welfare officers is available from which to select for appointments those proved suitable by previous welfare service?
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§ Sir J. GriggI am not aware of dissatisfaction to which my hon. Friend refers. Voluntary Army local welfare officers are appointed by Territorial Army Associations in consultation with Commands. The duties of these officers as laid down in the pamphlet "The Soldier's Welfare" is to assist unit welfare officers in every possible way to maintain their men's morale, especially by doing all in their power when asked to help to relieve the anxieties of soldiers about their private and family problems. Entertainment officers are serving officers and are found within the establishment of the Army.