§ 4. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what new instructions he has given to the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force which will reduce the national expenditure on these Services.
§ Mr. BirchNone, Sir. It is my noble Friend's constant endeavour to limit expenditure on defence to the minimum compatible with the needs of the situation.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that the United States of America are making drastic cuts in military, air and naval programmes, and that in the papers on Monday President Eisenhower made a statement a headline on which was, "President backs cuts in Air Force budget"? When is the hon. Gentleman going to follow the example of President Eisenhower?
§ Mr. BirchI think it would be premature to draw any conclusion as yet from the events to which the hon. Gentleman has referred.
§ Mr. SimmonsIs the Government considering the possibility of securing efficiency and economy by a Transfer of Functions Order providing for one Ministry of Defence and three Parliamentary Secretaries?