Royal Commission on Navy and Defence Administration

Appointed by Letters Patent dated 2 July 1917 by the Hughes government to inquire into and advise on the business administration of the Departments of Defence and of the Navy. The commissioners were William McBeath (chairman), James Chalmers and Frank Verco, assisted by expert accountants; they were unpaid. Its costs were met from war loan funds under the control of the Prime Minister's Department.

1. 4 April 1918Progress reports, including the second progress report, laid before Parliament.
2. 18 September 1918Report on navy administration; laid before Parliament on 4 October 1918 with a Cabinet sub-committee's report on it.
3. 2 December 1918Report on the purchase of the Shaw wireless works; laid before Parliament on 10 December 1918.

Its last report, on navy administration, is dated 13 February 1919 and was laid before Parliament on 4 July 1919, which the Parliamentary Handbook records as the date of the final report. On its recommendation a Business Board was set up to manage the business side of the Defence Department in 1918, and its chairman was invited to join it.

• Business administration of the Departments of Defence and the Navy
• Contracts, supplies and accounts, including the government factories
• Navy administration and purchases such as the Shaw wireless works

Last in the portfolio of Prime Minister's Department.

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