§ 45. Mr. DAYasked the Prime Minister on which day will the Minister for Coordinating Defence answer questions in this House appertaining to his Department?
§ 50. Mr. THURTLEasked the Prime Minister on which day questions addressed to the new Minister for Coordinating Defence should be set down for oral answer?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)My right hon. Friend will answer questions on Wednesday.
§ Mr. DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the Minister answers questions in the first group of Ministers who answer them?
§ Mr. RADFORDWill a fourth question be permitted to hon. Members in view of this additional Minister?
46. Commander LO C KER-LAM PSONasked the Prime Minister what salary the new Minister for Co-ordinating Defence will receive; whether he will have a separate office, and, if so, where; and whether time for a, Debate upon the appointment can be granted shortly?
§ 49. Sir PERCY HARRISasked the Prime Minister the correct title of the new Minister to co-ordinate Defence; what is the salary attached to the office; and whether he can give any estimate of the probable cost of the staff attached to the appointment?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think the appropriate title would be Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence. The salary will be £5,000, and the Minister 599 will have accommodation in the offices of the Committee of Imperial Defence. At the outset his staff will consist of a civil servant of the rank of Principal Assistant Secretary and a private secretary. In addition, the Minister will be able to make use of the Secretariat of the Committee of Imperial Defence. Any further staff requirements must be left for consideration in the light of experience. I see no reason for special Debate, but there are, of course, the ordinary opportunities.
§ Sir P. HARRISThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my question as to the probable cost of the staff.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI thought that my hon. Friend would have seen that that is quite impossible from what I stated. I gave him what the start is, and it must be a matter of some time, possibly months, before we can see what staff he will require. He will have whatever staff is adequate, and for this account will be made to the House in the Estimates.
§ Sir HUGH O'NEILLIn view of the fact that this salary will not be included in this year's Estimates and this year's Consolidated Fund Bill, will it be necessary to introduce legislation specially to deal with it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. There will be an estimate in the Estimates to be presented in the summer. An arrangement will be made to cover the intervening period, which will be covered by the Estimates introduced after Easter.
§ Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIROn what Vote will it be carried?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA Supplementary Estimate. I cannot say what Vote. It may be a single Vote.