§ 45. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister whether the Minister of Production is now fully engaged in the work of his Ministry; and if that Ministry will be retained after the end of the European war.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)The Minister of Production is now fully engaged in the work of his Ministry and at this moment is in the United States of America on that subject. As to whether the Ministry will be retained after the end of the European war, that surely may be left to the Government of the day.
§ Mr. ShinwellOf course, the Prime Minister is anxious to get rid of some of these Ministers as early as possible, is he not?
§ The Prime MinisterOn general grounds I am always anxious that there should be as few Ministers as possible. As for disturbing Ministers who are doing valuable work at the present time, I think that that would be a mistake and a premature judgment of the situation.
§ Mr. ShinwellHas the Prime Minister looked around and ascertained whether every Minister is actually undertaking full-time work?
§ Mr. Ellis SmithDoes the Prime Minister agree that most States are now adopting a policy of national planning, and if we also adopt a policy of national planning, will he consider retaining this Ministry and merging several other Ministries in it so that they can be organised on a basis of economic planning?
§ The Prime MinisterObviously these are matters that have to be settled by hon. Gentlemen on the Front Bench opposite.