HC Deb 11 February 1881 vol 258 c630
MR. W. H. SMITH

asked the Secretary of State for War, What will be the composition of the proposed Ordnance Committee; whether it is intended to supersede the existing Committees on Heavy Guns and on Machine Guns; and, what will be the functions of the new Committee?

MR. CHILDERS

Sir, in reply to my right hon. Friend, I would appeal to him not to require me to anticipate the detailed Statement which I shall make on this subject in moving the Army Estimates. But if he refers to page 73 of those Estimates, he will see the constitution of the Committee, which, I may say, will absorb the duties of the existing Committees.

LORD EUSTACE CECIL

asked, By whom the Chairman of the Committee would be appointed, and whether the Report would be sent to the War Office?

MR. CHILDERS,

in reply, said, that the Chairman would be appointed by him, and the Report would be forwarded to the War Office.