Mr. I. O. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for War if arrangements will be made for a meeting of the War Office Administrative Whitley Council to discuss policy in regard to the future of ordnance depots before any recommendations of the Defence Committee in this connection are finally adopted and put into effect.
§ Mr. Lyneasked the Secretary of State for War whether the assurance that no definite steps would be taken in the reorganisation of the ordnance depots which would affect the civilian staffs until discussions with their representatives had been held is still operative; and what method will be adopted to secure such consultations.
§ Mr. LawsonThe general policy as to the future of the ordnance depots, including the number required, their situation and respective functions, must depend entirely on military and economic considerations, but the proposals have been communicated to the Staff Side of the Whitley Council, in order that any representations by the Staff concerned may be taken fully into account in the detailed application of the policy.