§ The following questions stood upon the Paper in the name of Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS: 49, 52, 53, and 56: To ask the Prime Minister (1) whether the new Air Board has any control over or responsibility for the personnel and discipline of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Naval Anti-Aircraft Service; (2) whether the new Air Board has any powers in relation to anti-aircraft gunnery, and, if so, what; (3) whether the new Air Board has any control over or responsibility for the Royal Aircraft Factory; and (4) whether the new Air Board has any responsibility for or power over the defence of London from hostile aircraft?
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSI understand that these questions should be addressed to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Rugby (Major Baird). May I take the opportunity of congratulating him upon his appointment.
§ Major BAIRD(representing the Air Board): The question of the exact powers to be exercised by the Air Board over Services or establishments still under the control of other Departments is one that cannot be defined at the present moment, before the Air Board has commenced its work. They will depend very largely upon interdepartmental arrangements, and will be developed as time proceeds.
§ 54. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Prime Minister whether the new Air Board will present Estimates in this House, or whether the expenditure of such Board will be borne on the Navy or Army Votes?
§ Major BAIRDThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The intention is that any expenditure incurred by the Air Board should be defrayed direct from the Vote of Credit.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSMay I ask what opportunities we shall have of criticising the expenditure of the Air Board? Surely there will be Estimates.
§ Major BAIRDThere will be full opportunity on the Vote of Credit.
§ 55. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Prime Minister under what power the new Air Board can develop its own body with a regular department under it, or is the Board to be confined to thinking about such development?
§ Major BAIRDAny proposals that the Air Board may make for the development of its own functions or department under the terms of the reference, which have already been communicated to the House, will be addressed to the War Committee.