HC Deb 18 October 1939 vol 352 cc872-3
48. Miss Ward

asked the Prime Minister what official meetings of Ministers, other than those in the War Cabinet, take place; whether they are regular meetings; and who presides?

The Prime Minister

The Committee of Ministers concerned with the various aspects of Civil Defence, set up a year ago under the Chairmanship of my right hon. Friend the Member for the Scottish Universities (Sir J. Anderson), then Lord Privy Seal, was re-constituted on the outbreak of war as a Standing Committee. This committee is now known as the Civil Defence Committee, and is presided over by the Minister of Home Security. A further Standing Committee of Ministers, known as the Home Policy Committee, was set up on the outbreak of war, under the Chairmanship of the Lord Privy Seal. This committee covers all domestic questions other than those specifically referred to other committees, and reviews all proposals for Government legislation or Regulations under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939. Particulars in regard to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy were given in the answer which I gave on 9th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Leeds (Mr. Denman). All these committees hold regular meetings. In addition to the above, many other meetings of Ministers are, of course, held from time to time, often in the form of ad hocor temporary committees or subcommittees appointed to consider specific questions.