Oral Answers to Questions — British Army. – in the House of Commons at on 12 December 1939.
Mr Henry Brooke
, Lewisham West
asked the Secretary of State for War what course is open to a man who possesses technical qualifications such as the army is appealing for, but finds himself posted to a unit where they will not normally be used, and desires to apply for transfer to a more appropriate unit?
Sir Victor Warrender
, Grantham
He should apply to his commanding officer, stating his qualifications and experience.
Mr Henry Brooke
, Lewisham West
Does my hon. Friend's answer make sufficient allowance for the fact that commanding officers are human, and if a man is a general, all-round man, will not any commanding officer be inclined to retain his services rather than to facilitate his transfer to where his skilled qualifications are required?
Sir Victor Warrender
, Grantham
I think my hon. Friend is rather making out that commanding officers are inhuman. I should say they are human. We do encourage these transfers so far as they are compatible with the requirements of the Service.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
