§ MR. WOODALL (Hanley)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, under the new system of administration of the Ordnance Factories, regard has been had to the recommendations of Lord Morley's Committee, which not only enjoined that the Manufacturing Departments "should be placed under the control of a single head," but that such Controller should reside at Woolwich; whether it is true that the now Director of Ordnance Factories has been furnished with an office and clerical staff in Pall Mall; whether a considerable portion of his official business is transacted at the War Office; and, whether there are any sufficient reasons for these deviations from Lord Morley's recommendations?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The recommendation of Lord Morley's Committee is correctly quoted by the hon. Member. My intention is that the Director General of Ordnance Factories should transact the business of the Ordnance Factories at Woolwich, and give close personal superintendence by his presence on the spot. A room has been assigned to him at the War Office, because his duties necessarily bring him there at intervals to consult with other officials; but his permanent office is at Woolwich, and not in London.