HC Deb 19 December 1916 vol 88 cc1409-11

For the purpose of organising and maintaining the supply of aircraft in the national interest in connection with the present War, it shall be lawful for His Majesty to establish an Air Board, consisting of a President appointed by His Majesty, who shall hold office during His Majesty's pleasure, and of other members who shall be appointed in such manner and subject to such provisions as His Majesty may by Order in Council direct. The President of the Board shall act with the advice of the other members of the Board.

For the purp6ses of this Act the President of the Air Board shall be deemed to be a Minister appointed under this Act and the Air Board a Ministry established under this Act.

Clause brought up, and read the first time.

Sir G. CAVE

I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a second time."

The effect of this Clause will be to establish an Air Board. As hon. Members know, the Air Board has practically existed for some months. It was formed by the late Government, and represents the War Office, the Admiralty, the Ministry of Munitions and several other Departments. The Board has, of course, a President who has considerable power, being a Cabinet Minister, but the Board up to now has had no statutory existence. We are desirous of regularising the present position.

Mr. H. SAMUEL

We are very ready to assent to this new Clause. There is a very great deal of interest in the Air Board. Its composition and its functions are all of vital importance in the conduct of the War, and of a successful military and naval Air Service. The right hon. and learned Gentleman has told us that the new Air Board, which the new Government proposes, will be, in effect, the same as the old Air Board—at least, I understood him so to say

Sir G. CAVE

I presume so.

Mr. SAMUEL

The House will be interested to learn that. Indeed, I think that it is revealing no secret to say that one of the last acts of the late Government was to settle the constitution of the Air Board, and I understand that the new Government is continuing the Air Board on the same lines. I do not know whether the Home Secretary can satisfy the curiosity which, I am sure, will be felt by many Members of the House at the words of the Home Secretary that Lord Curzon will not continue to be President of the Air Board. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman is in a position to tell the House and the country who the head of this important body is to be I am sure the information will be generally welcomed.

Sir G. CAVE

I did not say that Lord Curzon would not hereafter be head of the Air Board. I was only desirous of guarding myself against the inference that he would certainly continue as head. I am afraid I cannot go beyond that.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause ordered to be added to the Bill.