§ 44. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Prime Minister in view of the fact that the Defence Committee was superseded during the War and has not met since the War, whether the three fighting departments are working in their Estimates to a definite policy and standard of preparation communicated, to them by the Cabinet; and, if so, whether that policy and standard is the outcome of meetings of Sub-committees of the Defence Committee at which the expert representatives of all three fighting departments were present to consider the new orientation of policy and armaments?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt is incorrect to state that the Defence Committee was superseded during the War. It was, in fact, absorbed into other organisations, which, subject to modifications to suit changed conditions, continue to function. The standards of preparation to which the fighting departments are working have been laid down by the Cabinet or its Committees, which have always worked in close consultation with the fighting departments.
§ Major-General SEELYIs the Committee of Defence in existence still, and if not, what arrangement is there for the co-ordination of the three services, and is there any opportunity when we can discuss the urgent need of co-ordination of the services in the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIt has never ceased to exist. Whether it will resume its original form is a matter which will come under consideration.
§ Commander BELLAIRSHow is it that the Committee of Defence has not found the necessity for a meeting since the War?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere have been several meetings of Sub-committees of the Committee of Defence since the War.