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Defence Scheme.

Part II.—Organization.

6. Page 17. In the Scheme the Central Section of the defence is divided into three Sub-sections, each commanded by a Lieutenant-Colonel, R.A., but it is understood that revised proposals for the chain of R.A. command have now been submitted to the War Office, by which Sub-section Com- manders have been altogether abolished, and the Section Commanders communicate in all cases direct with the Fire Commanders.

This appears to the Committee to be a more satisfactory arrangement. It would involve certain alterations in distribution tables and orders. The communications described under heading (B) (p. 18), would go from Fortress Head-quarters to Section Commanders and thence from Section to Fire Commanders instead of as now described, and the Distribution Table (A) would show seven Fire-Commanders in the Central Section instead of three Sub-section Commanders and four Fire Commanders.

7. Page 17.-The Central Section Head-quarters are stated to be at the Auberge de Castile, where are also the Head-quarters of the Fortress Commander.

It is, however, understood that it has been found inconvenient to have the Fortress Commander and a Section Commander at the same Head- quarters, and that the latter will be placed at the G.O.C.'s Palace in future revisions of the Scheme. The Colonial Defence Committee concur in this alteration.

8. Page 18.-On the top of this page a Field Officer, R.A., who in Table (B) on p. 19, is entitled O.C. Delimara Sub-group, is told off to the command of the four coast-works and batteries which defend the bays at the S.E. end of the island. But the Distribution Table (A) shows an officer as Fire Commander Marsa Scirocco, and it is understood that both the old and revised chains of R.A. command give the same four coast-works as included in this Fire Command. On p. 18 as well as in the orders to the G.O.C., R.A. (p. 23), and in those to the O.C. Eastern Section (p. 70), it is stated that the O.C. Delimara Sub-group is to serve on the Staff of the Section Commander whose Head-quarters are at Zeitun Village. His title therefore appears to be a misnomer; from Zeitun he cannot command the coast forts, nor is he wanted to do so, as there is a Fire Commander for that purpose. His proper designation would be Section C.R.A., if he is required at all, which appears to the Committee to be doubtful.

9. Page 19, Table (B).—The entry in the column of remarks- "if specially ordered "—against the C.R.E., P.M.O., S.O.S.O., and Chief Pay- master, is not understood.

10. Page 19, Table (B).-It is observed that the D.A.A.G. for Instruction becomes on mobilization Censor of the Press and Telegrams while the duties of Intelligence Officer are carried out in peace and war by the Assistant Military Secretary.

It is for consideration whether labour might not be saved and additional sources of information made more easily available if the censorship were placed under the Intelligence Officer, an additional English or Maltese officer being told off to assist him in this duty. The D.A.A.G. for Instruc- tion would thus be set free for other work.

11. Table A. Distribution of the Garrison.-1t is not traced in this Table that any provision has been made for manning the howitzers for the defence of Marsa Scirocco.

No officers are shown as Fire Commanders against the entries “F.C. and Staff, St. Andrews," and "F.C. Station XVI," in the 3rd column.

There appears to be a slight discrepancy in the number of "R.A. Staff and District Establishment" given under the heading (C) on page 18-265, and in Table A-268.

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