§ Viscount Ridleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will reconsider their decision that the post of Major-General under the Chief of General Staff to be provided under Command 9315 should only have primary and not exclusive responsibility for the Territorial Army, Reserves and Cadets, in view of the importance of the Territorial Army Enhancement; whether they can say what his other responsibilities will be; whether they are aware of the crucial importance of this post to the Territorial Army and whether he will remain in the office occupied by the present Director of the Territorial Army and Cadets with his own staff.
§ Lord TrefgarneNo. We believe that bringing together Territorial Army and Reserve responsibilities in a key two-star appointment directly responsible to the Chief of the General Staff will improve liaison between the Ministry of Defence at the highest level and the Territorial Army. These arrangements reflect the importance which Her Majesty's Government attach to the Territorial Army, plans for its enhancement, and other reserve and mobilisation questions. It is intended that the Territorial Army and Reserve matters will have first call on this officer's time. It is too soon to say what other duties he will undertake within the General Staff or where in London he will be accommodated. He will have an appropriate supporting staff, drawing on the expertise which already exists in the Directorate of Territorial Army and Cadets.