§ Mr. BOWLESasked the Secretary of State for War if he will state how many of the seven members of the Army Council form a quorum of that body; and whether the Army Council can take any decision as such in the absence of the Secretary of State for War?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe Letters Patent constituting the Army Council provides that their powers may be exercised and their duty performed by any three of their number and that any document may be signed on their behalf by any two of their number or by one councillor and the secretary. This applies to all business of the Army Council, except that which the Secretary of State expressly reserves to himself under the Order in Council.
§ Mr. BOWLESIs the House to understand that, except in the case of powers previously reserved to himself by the Secretary of State, the powers and duties of the Army Council may be administered by a majority of two persons, members of the Council, at a meeting at which the right hon. Gentleman responsible for the proceedings may not be present?
§ Mr. HALDANEEverything is possible. They can do an immense deal now if they choose. The answer is: They do not do it, any more than cashiers at a bank run away with the gold.
§ Mr. BOWLESThe right hon. Gentleman does not deny that, though, of course, it is not likely such a thing under present conditions would be possible?
§ Mr. HALDANEYes, under the present system—I do not mean the system we discussed last night, but under the existing system. The right relates to nine-tenths of the business that is vested in the Army Council. They could do it, but they never do it.