§ 59. Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether the Government has as yet come to any decision on the question of whether the Royal Navy is to have the sole control and responsibility for its own air arm?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have decided to appoint a Committee to inquire into the co-operation and correlation of the three Services from the point of view of national and imperial defence, of which the question will form a specific part.
§ Viscount CURZONCan we have some indication of the terms of reference to this Committee? Will the question be decided as a whole, or will the naval question have prior consideration?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe terms of reference are being prepared. I can say no more at present. As to the second question, I should like to have notice of that.
Captain BENNCan we have an assurance that no action will be taken to disintegrate the Air Force without the direct consent of this House?
§ Commander BELLAIRSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we had a direct promise last spring from the then Leader of the House that a Committee would be appointed? How is it we have no result from that?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat Committee sat but did not report. This Committee will, I hope, both sit and report.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would not like to say that no change will be made before it has been laid before the House, but it is very unlikely.
§ Mr. PRINGLECan we have the names of the members of the Committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe members have been selected, but we have not yet got their consent.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINHas any time limit been fixed for the deliberations of the Committee?