HC Deb 26 April 1927 vol 205 cc653-5
25. Mr. R. MORRISON

asked the Prime Minister whether the Minister of Transport, the Secretary for Mines, and the Secretary for the Overseas Trade Department will continue to hold their respective offices to the end of the present Session?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject. Full information on this as on other aspects of the changes referred to will be given when the necessary legislation is introduced.

Mr. HARDIE

Since we were assured, when considering the Electricity Act in Committee, that we would always have direct contact with the new Electricity Board through the Ministry of Transport, will the Prime Minister not reconsider the question and keep the promise given to the Committee on that occasion?

The PRIME MINISTER

I am afraid I did not quite catch the hon. Member's question.

Mr. HARDIE

As a promise was made that a Minister of Transport would always be in the House to keep us in direct contact with the Board appointed under the Electricity Act, are the Government going to resile from that promise or are they going to keep it?

The PRIME MINISTER

The point of contact is a question which must he considered.

Mr. HANNON

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety in the public interest of excluding the Department of Overseas Trade from any impending legislation of this kind? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"]

37. Mr. HANNON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can present a statement of the estimated savings which will be effected by the abolition of the, Ministry of Overseas Trade and the Ministry of Transport?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question on the 12th April.

Mr. HANNON

Will the right hon. Gentleman seriously take into consideration the danger to public interests involved in the abolition of these Ministries, and the importance of having Ministers in the house responsible for these Departments?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think that is a matter very proper to be debated and it is a very good illustration of the difficulties of effecting any economies.

Sir F. HALL

Will the duties of the Overseas Trade Department again devolve on the Foreign Office?

Mr. SPEAKER

I think that is another question for debate. The Chancellor of the Exchequer cannot answer that question.