THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF CREWE)My Lords, I understand that the noble Earl opposite, Lord Portsmouth, has postponed until next week a Question which he had on the Paper for this evening with reference to the War Committee of the Cabinet; but since the Prime Minister has made in another place to-day a statement of the composition of that body, I 282 think your Lordships would be glad if I state, quite briefly, what its composition is. For the present the Committee is to consist of the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for War, the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Minister of Munitions, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it being understood, of course, as we all know, that for the time being Lord Kitchener is undertaking duties elsewhere and not those of Secretary of State for War. I need not trouble the House with a repetition of what the Prime Minister stated in another place as regards the relations of this body to the Cabinet, because I am certain that what my right hon. friend said remains in the memory of your Lordships. I think, therefore, that at this moment it is not necessary for me to reply to the specific questions raised by the noble Earl (Lord Portsmouth), which he may desire to put on a future occasion.