12 MARCH 1937, Page 3

Mr. Elliot might have dealt less cavalierly with the suggestion

of a Special Minister for the distressed areas. Nobody questions the zeal and energy of the Commissioners. But there is a widespread feeling that to entrust administrative tasks of this magnitude to two unpaid volunteers, who may have business of their own to attend to, is carrying the amateur tradition too far. Miss Megan Lloyd George, undoubtedly the most attractive speaker among the women members, attacked the Government for relying too much for relief on their armament programme.