§ 51. Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueterasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the appointment of an Tinder-Secretary with considerable industrial knowledge to the staff of the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence to deal mainly with priority and widespread subcontracting in all matters connected with air defence requirements, and so release the Minister from much routine work and enable him to give greater attention to major problems of Defence?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. and gallant Friend presumably has in mind the appointment of a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State. I have already considered the advisability of such an appointment, but have come to the conclusion that it is unnecessary. Arrangements already exist in the Committee of Imperial Defence for settling priorities where they cannot be agreed between the Service Departments. Sub-contracting is in the main executive work to be done by the Service Departments.