45. Mr. MALONEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Committee appointed to investigate the practicability of a Ministry of Defence and the Committee appointed to investigate the amalgamation and co-ordination of services common to the various fighting forces will have to hear the same evidence, and in view of tire fact that all amalgamations and schemes of co-ordination of common services are merely steps towards the creation of a Ministry of Defence, he will consider the advisability of appointing the same Committee for both investigations?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Leader of the House)The Committee of Imperial Defence will investigate the practicability of a Ministry of Defence. The Government do not accept the view that the same Committee should investigate this question and that of the amalgamation and co-ordination of services common to the fighting forces. The latter proposal is on the face of it more readily practicable, and may be accomplished, even if a common Ministry of Defence should prove not to be desirable.
Mr. MALONEAre we to understand the Committee of Imperial Defence, which is composed of very hard-working Government officers, is going to do all this detailed work, or are they appointing a Sub-Committee?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe methods of the Committee of Imperial Defence are varied and are appropriate to the particular occasion and object of their work. I will not commit myself at the moment, but I should think probably a Sub-Committee would be appointed for the purpose.