HC Deb 21 February 1917 vol 90 c1336
91. Mr. CHARLES ROBERTS

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will make a statement giving the results obtained by the munitions volunteer scheme; whether it has proved successful or the reverse; whether Sir H. Llewellyn Smith was responsible for the scheme; and whether he has been transferred to another Department?

Mr. KELLAWAY (Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions)

The war munitions volunteer scheme, for which the Government is responsible, has provided and is continuing to provide a large body of mobile and highly skilled workmen who are essential to the maintenance and increase of the output of munitions. I am grateful to the hon. Member for calling my attention to this matter and thereby-enabling me to refute an unfounded allegation against a distinguished member of the public service. I am glad to have this opportunity of acknowledging the invaluable services of Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith to the Ministry of Munitions. I am happy to say that the Ministry still has the benefit of his advice as one of its general secretaries.

Mr. ROBERTS

Then there is no truth whatever in the attack made on this distinguished Civil servant?

Mr. KELLAWAY

Absolutely no truth; and I regret that an influential organ should have allowed itself to be made the vehicle of an attack upon a man who, from his position, was unable to reply.