78. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have been made in the number of military officers holding senior positions in the Ministry of Defence, Army, as a result of the recommendations of the Nye Committee; and whether these changes have fulfilled the recommendations contained in the Eighth Report of the Estimates Committee 1961–62 that more senior positions should be opened to civilian as well as military officers.
§ Mr. MulleyDecisions of the Army Board on the proposals made by the Committee resulted in the creation of four new military posts of brigadier or above and at the same time 20 military posts of brigadier or major-general's grading were transferred to other establishments. The number of senior civilian posts was reduced by one. Of five posts previously open to either soldiers or civilians, three were abolished, and two, which had normally been filled by military officers, although technically open to civilians, were re-classified as military. Half the senior posts in the Department are at present occupied by civilians; this proportion will be kept under review.