§ MR. H. O. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to make, the appointment of the present acting head of the Royal Ordnance Factories permanent; and, if not, whether the War Office will consider the advisability of appointing to that important post a properly qualified officer, acquainted with the progress of Foreign armies and the general development of firearms, and capable of occupying in the Royal Ordnance Factories a position equal to that occupied by the superintendents of great manufacturing firms?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.If my hon. Friend refers in his Question to the existing vacancy for a Superintendent at Enfield, I have to say that the vacancy will be filled very shortly under new arrangements which have recently been sanctioned, and that every care will be taken to obtain the services of a thoroughly competent official, in all respects well fitted to take charge of a great manufacturing undertaking.