MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMA.N (Stirling, &c.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he can now announce to the House the names of the Members of the promised Royal Commission to inquire into
The extent to which our present Naval and Military systems, as at present organized and administered, are adapted to the National wants;and, whether he will state the precise terms of the Order of Reference to that Royal Commission?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I am sorry that I am not able to give any further information to the right hon. Gentleman with reference to the constitution of this Commission. The right hon. Gentleman will recognize the importance of the question; and although it has received very much of the attention of the Government, we have not yet been able to constitute the Commission in a manner which would be satisfactory to ourselves.
§ MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMANCan the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when he will be able to complete the Commission, seeing that a whole month has elapsed since the promise was given? This is a question in regard to which the element of time is of supreme importance.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHI am very well aware of that; but the right hon. Gentleman will see that the constitution of the Commission is also a very important matter. That has presented difficulties to us which we have not as yet been able to surmount.