§ 52. Lieut. - Commander FLETCHERasked the Prime Minister whether, following the appointment of a Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, he proposes at an early date to rearrange the duties of the Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence so that this official may no longer have to bear in addition the burden of being Secretary to the Cabinet and Clerk to the Privy Council, observing that the responsibilities of this triple function are more than any one man can shoulder?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, Sir, the staff of the Committee of Imperial Defence and the Privy Council Office is being strengthened in such a way as to relieve the official referred to of some of his duties.
§ Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERIs the Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence to retain his three present positions?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIf I understood the hon. and gallant Member aright—I could not quite hear what he said—I think the answer is "Yes."
§ Mr. EDEAre we to understand, having heard the Prime Minister, that this gentleman will continue to hold the same offices but that additional junior appointments will be made to his staff to assist him?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe extra work is being arranged in such a way that I hope he will continue to function in the present secretariats he holds. Sir Maurice Hankey is, I think, without any doubt, one of the most able civil servants that any Government has ever had.
§ Mr. ATTLEEGranting what the right hon. Gentleman says with regard to the ability of Sir Maurice Hankey, is it advisable that the Government should depend upon one civil servant in so many offices?