HC Deb 25 February 1918 vol 103 cc1091-2
45. Mr. LYNCH

asked the Prime Minister whether the Cabinet has considered the possible circumstances in which the military representative at Versailles may, in accord with the representatives of the other Allies, advise a concerted movement, and that this advice may not find acceptance with the Commander-in-Chief and may be referred by him to the Cabinet, which will refer it to the Chief of the Staff, reserving to itself the final decision; and whether, when this decision is communicated to the representative at Versailles, he will be bound to conform to the Cabinet's plan?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I cannot add anything on this subject to the statement recently made by the Prime Minister.

Mr. LYNCH

Has this question been submitted to the War Cabinet, because even on those terms does it not bring out that this is a case of incompetence on an important question, masked by a mere pretence of statesmanship?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It has not been brought specially to the attention of the War Cabinet, and if it had, probably they would have taken a different view from the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. PRINGLE

Do the statements set forth in this question not represent what was described by the Prime Minister, and, if so, is it not altogether an unworkable arrangement?

Mr. HOGGE

No answer.

48. Colonel YATE

asked the Prime Minister whether the powers and duties that have now been taken from the Chief of the Imperial General Staff to meet the requirements of the Supreme War Council at Versailles will be restored to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff when the Versailles Supreme War Council is dissolved at the end of the War or whenever it is dissolved?

Mr. BONAR LAW

This question is really hypothetical. I regret, therefore, that I cannot answer it ;but I would remind my hon. Friend that the powers and duties of the Chief of the Staff are now precisely what they were before the Order in Council was issued.

Mr. PRINGLE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the powers withdrawn from the Chief of the Staff are now conferred upon Lord Derby, and, if so, why?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The change represents the powers which were for the time in the hands of the Chief of the Staff and are now in the hands of the Army Council.

Mr. PRINGLE

But does not that mean that the powers withdrawn from Lord Kitchener are now entrusted to Lord Derby?

An HON. MEMBER

No. answer.

Mr. PRINGLE

This will be raised on the Army Estimates to-day.