§ 46. Mr. Glenvil Hallasked the Minister of Production whether he is in a position to give the House any information as to the changes which have been made in the organisation for dealing with wireless matters?
§ Mr. LytteltonYes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have set up a Radio Board as the Supreme Co-ordinating body in regard to inter-Service radio policy, 1568 research, development and production. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a full statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
§ In view of the great increase in the importance of wireless communication and radiolocation during the war, it was considered necessary to strengthen the existing organisation for controlling research, development and production in this field. His Majesty's Government have, therefore, set up a Radio Board as the co-ordinating body in regard to inter-Service policy, research, development and production. The Board is in general responsible to me, but where matters of Service policy are concerned, it takes its instructions from, and is responsible to, the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The Board has taken over the whole of the functions hitherto performed by other Committees and bodies in this field.
§ My fight hon. Friend the Minister Resident for Supply in Washington acted in his personal capacity, as the first Chairman of the Board. On his appointment to Washington he has been succeeded by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production, also in his personal capacity. The Chairman is assisted by two Deputy Chairmen, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to my Ministry, and Professor G. P. Thomson, F.R.S. The membership of the Board includes representatives of the Admiralty, War Office, Air Ministry, Ministry of Supply, Ministry of Aircran Production and General Post Office, as well as several special (non-Departmental) members.
§ Much of the work of the Board is carried out through two main working Committees, the Production Planning and Personnel Radio Committee and the Operations and Technical Radio Committee, of which the Parliamentary Secretary to my Ministry and Professor Thomson are respectively Chairmen.
§ Questions in connection with the work of the Board should be addressed to me.