HC Deb 19 February 1952 vol 496 cc6-7
3. Mr. Leslie Hale

asked the Secretary of State for War why and under what authority the Under-Secretary of State is using notepaper headed "Under-Secretary of State for War".

The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Antony Head)

This writing-paper was produced at the request of the late Under-Secretary of State in August, 1951: similar papers are used by other members of the Army Council.

Mr. Hale

Will the right hon. Gentleman accept my congratulations once more on adopting ideas produced on this side of the House? Will he now remember that there is a very real danger, which concerns all of us, that the Prime Minister may meet some other noble Lord on his travels and may create a new Ministry to co-ordinate the Departments of the Secretary of State for War and of the Under-Secretary of State.

Sir Herbert Williams

Is not the correct title "The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State?"

Mr. Head

The correct title is "Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Financial Secretary of the War Office," but I am afraid that some hon. Gentlemen cannot always read as fast as the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Hale) can speak.