But the war is now past history; and though we
must admit that the Supreme Council has heavily taxed the Prime Minister's time, we feel strongly that there is no longer any need for con- tinuing an arrangement which implies that the office of the Prime Minister floats, as it were, in mid air detached from the routine of Parliament. Surely the whole theory of our Parlia- mentary institutions is that the Prime Minister is the focus of power, and as such must regularly lead the House himself, meet the criticisms of the Opposition on main principles, and direct his army of followers. He is like a general in the field, and if he cannot be referred to at a moment's notice he has abrogated his proper functions. Mr. Lloyd George may of course say that normal conditions have not yet returned. Personally, we can hardly accept that apology, but in any case we sincerely hope that he will make it his business to restore normality as soon as possible. The Prime Minister while he is in office exercises supreme power ; obviously, he ought to exercise that power in the manner which custom has established.
