HC Deb 03 December 1952 vol 508 cc1561-2
45. Mr. Remnant

asked the Prime Minister to state the present duties of the Ministry of Materials; and if he will consider transferring these duties to other Ministries.

The Prime Minister

The duties of the Ministry of Materials continue to be those set out by the late Government in Command Paper 8278. They are, in general, to ensure adequate supplies of the materials there specified.

I am not proposing to make any changes affecting the Ministry of Materials at the present time. The allocation of duties between different Departments is under frequent review, and transfers will be made whenever they promise a net advantage in efficiency and economy.

Mr. Remnant

In these future reviews promised by my right hon. Friend, will he keep in mind the advantage to industry of having this one less Ministry to deal with?

Mr. Bevan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we on this side of the House attach very great importance indeed to Ministerial responsibility for this, and has the Minister made arrangements for any survey of the mineral resources of Great Britain, and will he provide a White Paper stating what steps he has taken to explore them?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that arises out of the original Question and answer. At any rate, I should before responding to a question put by the right hon. Gentleman from the Front Opposition Bench, like to fortify myself by the strongest possible official advice.

Mr. Bevan

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the reasons for establishing this Ministry was the prospective shortage of raw materials and the necessity of trying to rely more upon indigenous raw materials, having regard to the expenditure on importing raw materials, and as the right hon. Gentleman has really decided to have this Ministry, why did he not fortify himself with information as to why he set it up?

The Prime Minister

I did not set it up. It was set up at the moment when the right hon. Gentleman and others, who were then colleagues, embarked on a very extensive scheme of re-armament in order to enable orders to be spread in the best possible way. It was found to be right and convenient at the time. I agree that as we get more ahead on re-armament work we may be able to make further reductions, but I think that it would be a mistake to make a change now in a large sphere of re-distribution of duties which may not necessarily be accompanied by definite economy.