HC Deb 16 February 1904 vol 129 cc1485-7
SIR HENRY FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when does he propose to take the opinion of this House on the scheme for the reorganisation of the War Office.

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

The Government will be glad to give the House an opportunity of discussing the scheme of the reorganisation of the War Office when the course of business allows. The Committee, however, have not yet completed their Report, and it will be obviously inconvenient to discuss the scheme proposed by them except as a whole. The reorganisation of the War Office is an administrative matter, and for the most part does not require legislative sanction; but the transfer to the Council of certain statutory powers vested in the Secretary of State for War must be effected by Act of Parliament. Probably it will be convenient to raise a discussion on the introduction of the Bill which must be brought forward for this purpose. I shall be glad if the right hon. Gentleman will raise the Question again when the Prime Minister returns to the House.

* SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)

Will the discussion of the part of the Report dealing with the Cabinet Committee of Defence be in order on that Bill.

* MR ARNOLD FORSTER

I do not know how far the Orders of the House will allow it, but I believe there are proposals in this first part which will require legislation.

SIR HENRY FOWLER

Will any money be asked for and will any statement be made by the right hon. Gentleman in introducing the Estimates.

* MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

No money will be required at this stage, and I doubt whether it will be required at a later stage. But if I find that money is required I will make a statement. My opinion at present is that no money will be required.

MR. REGINALD LUCAS (Portsmouth)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what provision has been made for the officers whose services at the War Office have been dispensed with under [the new scheme; what arrangements have been made for the conduct of business during the period of transition from the old system to the new, and to secure that the Department may be prepared for any national emergency which may arise.

* MR. ARNOLD - FORSTER

Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, at the special request of the Prime Minister, has consented to place his services at the disposal of the Committee of Imperial Defence. General Sir Henry Bracken-bury has retired at the conclusion of his period of service. General Sir William Nicholson, whose period of service would have expired on 1st May of the present year, has been specially selected to be attached to the Japanese forces during the present war, to represent the Intelligence Department. No further appointments of the nature referred to in the Question have been made at present. Arrangements have been made for the conduct of business during the period of transition from the old system to the new, and it is not anticipated that the work of the Department will be interrupted. I may remind my hon. friend that the patent constituting the new authority was only sealed on the 8th inst., and that the first meeting of the Army Council was held yesterday.