HC Deb 20 March 1940 vol 358 c1979
47. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement defining the duties of the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence and whether there has been any change in the function of this office since the outbreak of hostilities?

Sir J. Simon

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 1st February to a similar Question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bournemouth (Sir H. Croft).

Mr. Edwards

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when an important officer of the Government was asked recently about referring an important matter to the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence he said that he did not have time to do that in these times? What is the function of the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence if it is not to co-ordinate the increase of production?

Sir J. Simon

I hope the hon. Member will look at the answer to which I have referred him. It is a very full answer.