§ 48. Major GLYNasked the Prime Minister what other countries maintain an Air Force and Air Ministry as a distinct department of government on similar lines as that existing in this country; whether he is aware that the Air Departments of other countries are chiefly concerned with civil aviation and the design and supply of aircraft of all kinds to the order of the naval and military departments as well as for civil purposes; and whether the Government have asked for or obtained the opinion of the General Staff and the Board of 373 Admiralty as to whether greater efficiency and economy might result from an alteration of the existing system?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSo far as I am aware no other country maintains an Air Force as a service separate and additional to the Army and Navy or a separate Air Ministry as a distinct Department of State. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third part that the Government are fully aware of the views of the General Staff and Board of Admiralty.
§ Major GLYNAre there any reports available to Parliament as to the opinion in this matter of the Committee of Imperial Defence?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not think that the reports of the Committee of Imperial Defence are ever published; they are necessarily of a highly confidential kind.