Sir H. DALZIELI desire to repeat the question which was postponed yesterday at the request of the Under-Secretary of State for War, namely: Whether he can give us the names of the Committee of which Mr. George Booth is the secretary, which has been appointed by the War Office, and also an indication of its powers?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am almost speechless, for the copy of the answer has been left at the War Office, but I can tell my right hon. Friend that I shall be able to give him fuller details when the Papers arrive. The fact is that the Secretary of State for War is the Chairman and Major-General von Donop is a member of the 40 Committee as well as Mr. Booth. The instructions to the Committee are to give assistance in expediting and, if possible, accelerating the supply of munitions of war.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPECan the right hon. Member say—I do not press him for an answer if he is not ready—what are the relations between this Committee and the larger Committee, the composition of which has lately been read out?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe relations between the two are quite simple. This in a Departmental Committee which has been appointed by the War Office. The larger Committee deals with the whole question of the supply of munitions of war.
Sir H. DALZIELCan the right hon. Member give us any indication of the reason why this Committee should not have been appointed earlier?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI said that the appointment of such a Committee was decided upon a month ago.