Though I do not altogether share your dark estimate and forecast of the situation, actual and perspective, I am in complete agreement that we have reached a critical situation in the war, and that our methods of procedure, with the experience which we have gained during the last few months, call for reconsideration and revision. The two main defects of the War Committee, which has done excellent work, are: (1) That its numbers are too large. (2) That there is delay, evasion, and often obstruction on the part of the Departments in giving effect to its decisions. I might with good reason add (3) that it is often kept in ignorance by the Departments of information, essential and even vital, of a technical kind, upon the problems that come before it: and (4) that it is overcharged with duties, many of which might well be relegated to subordinate bodies. The result is that I am clearly of opinion that the War Committee should be reconstituted, and its relation to and authority over the Departments be more clearly defined and more effectively asserted. I come now to your specific proposals. In my opinion, whatever changes are made in the composition and functions of the War Committee, the Prime Minister must be its Chairman. He cannot be relegated to the position of an arbiter in the background or a referee to the Cabinet. In regard to its composition, I agree that the War Secretary and the First Lord of the Admiralty are necessary members. I am inclined to add to the same category the Minister of Munitions. There should be another member, either without portfolio or charged only with comparatively light departmental duties. One of the members should be appointed Vice-Chairman. I purposely do not in this letter discuss the delicate and difficult question of personnel. The Committee should, as far as possible, sit _de die diem_, and have full power to see that its decisions (subject to appeal to the Cabinet) are carried out promptly and effectively by the Departments. The reconstitution of the War Committee should be accompanied by the setting up of a Committee of National Organisation, to deal with the purely domestic side of war problems. It should have executive powers within its own domain. The Cabinet would in all cases have ultimate authority. Yours very sincerely, (Sd.) H. H. ASQUITH. 10 DOWNING STREET, S.W. _December 4th, 1916._ _Secret_ MY DEAR LLOYD GEORGE,