§ General IVOR PHILIPPS(by Private Notice:) I beg to ask the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) whether he can give the House any information regarding the informal Committee proposed to be set up to inquire into the organisation and methods of the Central Prisoners of War Committee, who is appointing such a Committee, and on whose authority will it act, and to whom will it report?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPE (Lord of the Treasury)My right hon. Friend the Chairman of Ways and Means, has nominated four Members of this House to serve on this Committee and all these have now consented. I am informed that the Chairman of Committees in another place has similarly nominated three Peers, but I have not yet heard whether they are able to serve. The Committee is being set up with the approval of the Government, and in pursuance of a decision of a representative meeting of Members of this House interested in the subject, to whom the Committee will report.
§ General PHILIPPSCan the right hon. Gentleman give us the names of the four Members willing to serve?
§ Mr. HOPENo; it is not a House of Commons Committee. It is an informal Committee appointed on the suggestion of the Prisoners of War Committee itself, and at the meeting it was thought essential, whether or not any more formal inquiry may be anticipated afterwards, to get going at once a businesslike Committee of Members of both Houses.
Sir H. DALZIELHas the House as a House any authority over this Committee—is it not a private Committee?
§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORDo you intend to put an Irishman on the Committee?
§ General PHILIPPSWill this Committee have any power of any kind?