HC Deb 27 June 1938 vol 337 cc1532-4
Mr. Attlee (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any statement to make in regard to steps for unifying the control of responsibility for the development and production of aircraft and other material?

The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Kingsley Wood)

Yes, Sir. The present Air Member for Research and Development, Air-Marshal Sir Wilfrid Freeman will in future be responsible for production as well as for development and research. Sir Wilfrid Freeman will be designated Air Member for Development and Production, and according to existing plans his period of appointment will be extended for a period of at least two years from the present date. To enable him to carry out his increased duties he will have the assistance of a Director-General of Production, and a Director-General of Research and Development.

I am glad to be able to inform the House that at the request of the Government the Board of Directors of the London Midland and Scottish Railway have placed at the disposal of the Air Ministry the services of Mr. E. J. H. Lemon, Vice-President of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway who will become Director General of Production. Mr. Lemon's engineering experience will be of the greatest value in assisting in the planning and organisation of production, in co-operation with aircraft and allied industries. He will become a member of the Air Council, and will be assisted as necessary by staff with engineering and technical qualifications. The post of Director General of Research and Development will be filled by Air Vice-Marshal A. W. Tedder.

I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the gratitude of the Government to the President and Directors of the London Midland and Scottish Railway for their public spirited action in releasing Mr. Lemon for these important duties.

Mr. Bellenger

Will Mr. Lemon be engaged in whole-time duties under the Air Ministry, and will he be paid a salary?

Sir K. Wood

Yes, Sir, Mr. Lemon will be engaged in a whole-time occupation at the Air Ministry. It is proposed that we shall meet the expenses to which the company will be put during Mr. Lemon's absence from the railway company.

Mr. Dalton

Has the gentleman who has been appointed to take charge of research any engineering qualifications?

Sir K. Wood

No, but he has had considerable experience in work in connection with the Air Ministry, and has filled one or two other important posts before this one.

Mr. Attlee

Has he any knowledge of the problems of aerial navigation?

Sir K. Wood

Yes, this post has to do with research and development. The engineering qualifications more directly concern Mr. Lemon.

Mr. Garro Jones

Does the new arrangement involve any change in the duties of Sir Charles Bruce-Gardner who is the liaison officer between the Air Ministry and the industry and yet finds time to continue his work as chairman of a number of public companies?

Sir K. Wood

Sir Charles Bruce-Gardner is doing very valuable work for the Ministry, and this new arrangement in no way interferes with it.

Mr. Garro Jones

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that at a time like this the man upon whom devolves the whole task of liaison between the Ministry and the manufacturers can carry out that onerous task and at the same time fulfil his responsibilities to a large number of shareholders?

Sir K. Wood

That is another matter, but I may say from my own personal observations that Sir Charles Bruce-Gardner is adequately fulfilling his important work and is constantly in attendance at the Air Ministry.

Mr. Simmonds

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that this is only part of his scheme to reorganise supply in the Air Ministry?

Sir K. Wood

It is, at any rate, I hope, a good beginning.