In the House of Commons on Thursday week Sir Henry
Dalziel moved a drastio amendment to the Munitions of War Bill by which the Ordnance Department of the War Office (though strictly, it may be said, there is no such thing as an Ordnance Department) would be brought under the direct control of Mr. Lloyd George as Minister of Munitions. He said that the Ordnance Department had " let Lord Kitchener down badly," and had let the Army down, and the country down, at the same time. The Munitions Bill would be quite useless if this amendment were not accepted. Mr Lloyd George replied that the Government were not prepared for this debate, and an amendment on the Committee stage was not the best method of arraigning a department of the War Office. The facts could not be stated yet, but the time would come when they could be stated, and that would be the occasion for judgment. He himself had already enough to do in his new office, but if the Ordnance Department put any difficulties in his way he would ignore etiquette and report the matter to the House. Mr. Chaplin found this answer so unsatisfying that he moved to report progress. Eventually, however, on further assurances from the Government, both the amendment and Mr. Chaplin's motion were withdrawn.
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