CO-ORDINATING MINISTRIES

With regard to the steps the Government have taken, or are taking, to deal with the question, as there were no fewer than fourteen different Ministries concerned in demobilisation, each presided over by a responsible Minister, it appeared to be necessary to appoint someone to co-ordinate those various departments. The War Cabinet, in asking Sir Eric Geddes to undertake for a short period this work of co-ordination, has not thereby altered in any way the executive work of those departments. Obviously, it was not possible to appoint another Minister who was responsible over their heads. Sir Eric is not, therefore, assuming any executive duties. The heads retain, as they must, their individual responsibility. It would be impossible for any one man to go into any of the fourteen departments and order changes to be made. The only thing that seemed possible was to appoint one Minister to co-ordinate their activities in this subject, and this Sir Eric will do with the full authority of the Cabinet. As he is not charged with executive duties, the public must understand that all communications as to demobilisation and resettlement should be sent as directed in the various announcements which have been made by the department concerned. The co-ordination will be effected by getting all the figures as to the rate at which demobilisation is proceeding, and by keeping in touch with each department, in order that it may be ascertained how their efforts are progressing. This will be done with the assistance of five or six gentlemen who have worked with Sir Eric Geddes during the war, and whose tried tact and ability should stand them in good stead.