§ 80. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he can now make a statement as to the staff and work of the Controller of Civil Aviation?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)The Controller-General of Civil Aviation is the member of the Air Council responsible for the executive work falling to the Air Ministry under the Air Navigation Acts, 1911–1919, and for carrying out the accepted policy of assisting the development of civil aviation. It is proposed that he shall be assisted by four heads of Departments who will take charge of planning, information, communications, and aerodromes, respectively. Provision will also be made for meteorological services. Terms for the heads of Departments have been approved, appointment of staff is proceeding, and the Department is being formally constituted as from the 1st April, being the beginning of the financial year.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not want to press the right hon. Gentleman unduly, but perhaps he could mention a date when he will be able to make a full statement as to the appointment of the staff and the allocation of the work?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI think that in the next few days I can mention the principal office holders, but I really think it would be a pity to hurry the selection of the filling of the positions of second rank.
§ 81. Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he can give an assurance that the Royal Air Force is not in any way to be brought under the control of the War Office and that civil aviation will not in any way be placed under the control of the Minister of Ways and Communications?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere is no intention of bringing the Royal Air. Force under the control of the War Office or of placing civil aviation under the control of the Ministry of Ways and Communications. Cabinet decisions in this sense have been definitely obtained.