§ MR. H. O. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office for what reason, and on whose recommendation, Mr. Donaldson has been appointed to the post of Deputy Director General of Ordnance Factories; whether he is aware that of late years a largo number of Officers of the Army and Navy have been selected to fill the most important posts as directors and superintendents of great manufacturing establishments, and have shown themselves eminently qualified for the work entrusted to them; and whether, among the 6,000 officers serving in the Army, it was impossible to find one officer competent to occupy the post of Deputy Director General of Ordnance Stores; and if any such officer could be found, why he was not appointed in preference to a civilian, who is unacquainted with the management of an ordnance factory, and has no knowledge, either theoretical or practical, of military stores?
MR. POWELL WILLIAMSThe appointment of Mr. Donaldson, as I have already stated in answer to a Question, was made in pursuance of one of the recommendations of Lord Morley's Committee. Mr. Donaldson had high testimonials, and the necessary experience in the management of a factory. It is well known that retired Officers of the Army become directors of manufacturing companies, but they are not, except in very rare cases, entrusted with the management and control of the works. The Ordnance Stores are under military control.