HC Deb 04 May 1950 vol 474 c1893
45. Lieut.Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give consideration to the necessity of retaining the Ministry of Civil Aviation in view of the urgent need for economy in the national expenditure.

The Lord President of the Council (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave him in reply to a similar Question about the machinery of Government, on 27th April. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has been retained as a separate Department because there is a continuing need for it in present circumstances.

Sir T. Moore

But it was not a similar Question that the Prime Minister answered on 27th April. My Question refers to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. If the right hon. Gentleman agrees that aviation is simply a modern form of transport, would it not be wiser to merge these two Ministries into one, and save all the more?

Mr. Morrison

I follow the argument but I would assure the hon. and gallant Member that he exaggerates the amount of saving he contemplates as a consequence. It is a point worthy of consideration from time to time, but we have come to the conclusion that as things are, it would not he a wise step.