HC Deb 16 December 1941 vol 376 cc1811-2
35. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of their reduced functions, he will consider the suppression of the Ministry of Economic Warfare and the Department of Overseas Trade; and the transference of their remaining duties to other Departments of State?

Mr. Attlee

No, Sir.

Sir H. Williams

Having regard to the fact that nearly every country in the world is now a belligerent and that there are few people to conduct any economic warfare against, why retain a large Department to do a non-existent job?

Mr. Attlee

While there have been developments which have curtailed to some extent the scope of the Department, there is still a good deal of work to be done.

Sir H. Williams

As the main activity of the Government is to reduce the export trade, why have a Department to promote it?