§ Mr. Rowlandasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will review the arrangements within his Department for the employment of civilian personnel in support of the Armed Forces.
§ Mr. HealeyI have decided to set up a committee to examine the employment of civilians in support of the Armed Forces, and to recommend whether any changes are desirable in the balance between military and civilian personnel in the interests of greater economy and efficiency and, if so, how they should be achieved. Sir Henry Wilson Smith has agreed to become chairman of the committee, whose members will include a senior retired officer of each Service, a retired civil servant with experience of industrial affairs, and a representative of the trade unions. I am in consultation with the chairman before approaching other members to join the committee.