§ 9. Brigadier-General MAKINSasked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to expedite the re-equipment of the Army?
Mr. COOPERI have decided to appoint an additional member of the Army Council with the title of Director-General of Munitions Production to be responsible to me for co-ordinating and expediting the production of munitions in accordance with the programme approved by His Majesty's Government. With the assent of my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty, whose help I gratefully acknowledge, I have offered the appointment to Engineer Vice-Admiral Sir Harold Brown, Engineer-in-Chief of the Fleet, and I am happy to say that he has accepted my invitation.
§ Mr. SHINWELLDoes that mean that the Master-General of Ordnance will be deprived of some of his functions?
Mr. COOPERIt means that this new officer will assist the Master-General of Ordnance in some of his functions, but the Master-General of Ordnance will retain a great many of his functions.
§ Sir FRANCIS ACLANDCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the co-ordination will extend to the supply required by the Navy, or will it deal only with Army supplies?
Mr. COOPERAs the right hon. Gentleman is well aware, the War Office produces to supply to the other two Services, and this co-ordination will extend to that.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIf it is a matter dealing with the Army, why should not an Army officer be given the appointment?
§ Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERWill this officer have any duties where the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence is concerned?
Mr. COOPERThe duties of the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence is to co-ordinate the work of the three Departments as far as possible, and all those Departments work in conjunction with him.