HC Deb 28 April 1904 vol 133 cc1440-1
MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the appointments of Director of Supplies and Director of Transport have yet been made; and whether, contrary to the recommendations of the Esher Committee, it is intended to appoint a non-expert to either or both of these posts.

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

By Part I.,. Section II., paragraph 24 of the Report of the Esher Committee, "the selection of military subordinates in each branch should be made by the Secretary of State upon the sole recommendation of the responsible member of the Council." The appointments of Director of Supplies and Clothing, and Director of Transport and Remounts, have been made on the recommendation of the Quartermaster-General, who is the chief of the Department concerned.

MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE

Was it not recommended that these officers should be experts?

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

The head of the Department concerned was well aquainted both with the recommendations of the Commission, and with the qualifications of the officers in question before he made the appointments.