47. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce legislation for the purpose of setting up a Ministry of Supply?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am not in a position to make any statement.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYBefore the right hon. Gentleman makes up his mind to introduce legislation setting up a Ministry of Supply, will he take the opinion of the House as to whether it is desirable or not?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWWe have come to no decision and I am sure that my hon. and gallant Friend will understand the difficulty of coming to a decision. There would be no use in setting up a Ministry 873 of Supply unless it were to be a Ministry of Supply for all the Government Departments. The subject is under consideration and the views of the House will be kept in mind.
§ Major LLOYD-GREAMEIn the mean time, is it not a fact that a Minister is being referred to by his colleagues as "The Minister of Supply"?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is a question of phraseology; I should not use it myself.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs not the chief difficulty the vested interest of the Minister concerned?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am sure my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that so long as there are immense stores to be sold the Ministry of Munitions, in some form or other, must be kept up.