§ 45. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Prime Minister whether in view of the urgency of providing equipment for the conscripts to be called up on 30th June, he will consider investing the Minister of Supply designate with certain immediate powers pending the introduction of the Bill constituting a Ministry of Supply?
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)No, Sir. The hon. and gallant Member should understand that every precaution is being taken to see that progress with the necessary expansion of Army supply is not interrupted by the creation of a Ministry of Supply.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherMay I ask the Prime Minister whether it is not the case that the Government decided to constitute a Ministry of Supply in order to cope with the situation created by the decision to double the Territorial Force, and since it has now been decided to enrol conscript forces, is it not doubly 1610 necessary that the Ministry should be constituted and function without delay?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, I quite agree with that, but the question which the hon. and gallant Member put to me was whether I would consider investing the Minister of Supply with powers. As far as I know I have no power to do that except by the introduction of another Bill.
§ Sir Percy HarrisCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Minister and his staff are carrying out their duties in anticipation of the Bill?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend is carrying out such duties as he can in anticipation of the Bill, which I hope may be introduced almost immediately after the Whitsun Recess.
§ Mr. GallacherYou have not got your conscripts yet.