§ 50. Mr. Wyattasked the Prime Minister the system of co-ordination between the Ministry of Supply, the Air Ministry and the Admiralty for the obtaining of aircraft.
§ The Prime MinisterWhen the Socialist Government came into power in 1945, they abolished the Ministry of Aircraft Production and transferred its functions to the Ministry of Supply. We have not altered this arrangement. The Ministry of Supply therefore performs a common service for the Admiralty and the Air Ministry in the development and procurement of aircraft. Co-operation between the three Departments is intimate and continuous. As the system is rather lengthy to describe in detail, I will circulate a note in the OFFICIAL REPORT. It is not possible to argue these technical 2594 matters at Question Time. A suitable Parliamentary occasion arises on the Estimates which will be discussed after the Christmas Recess.
§ Mr. WyattAs there has now been revealed an appalling delay in deliveries of aircraft for the Royal Air Force and for the Navy, not only of fighters but of bombers, is it not time for a thorough overhaul of the system of procurement? Is it not one of the great difficulties that nobody seems to have the power to make the decision when to stop alterations and modification to aircraft and to start actually building and putting aircraft into production? Could not the Prime Minister do something about it urgently, instead of referring back to 1945, which is nine years ago?
§ The Prime MinisterThese matters are all being most earnestly considered and examined. There is great and increased complexity of aircraft, and extraordinary rapidity of development, one generation of aircraft succeeding another so rapidly that the life of an aircraft in the process of construction undoubtedly far exceeds the life of an individual Minister of Supply. It may be twice and it may be thrice as long, with all the preparations and so forth. This has all to be considered. It certainly raises in my mind the broad general question of whether a special Ministry should not be recreated to deal with the prolonged process of production. Happily, I believe, the delays that have taken place through accidents, through too few prototypes and through unfortunate and tragic events here and there, will not work out to our disadvantage. They may be settled, and result in a satisfactory flow before the period of comparative safety in which we are living has elapsed.
§ Mr. CallaghanWhether they work out to our disadvantage or not, they will certainly have resulted in a considerable loss of public money. Could the Prime Minister consider whether the Estimates will be the best opportunity of examining a subject of this complexity? Will he take note of the fact that it is our considered view here that there is need for a committee of inquiry into the state of the aircraft industry, both civil and military, to see whether the public is getting value for its money?
§ The Prime MinisterIf it is a question of getting value for money and of estimates and so on, I should have thought that when the Estimates are considered will be an admirable time for Members to make their remarks on this subject.
§ Mr. CallaghanDoes not the Prime Minister realise that this subject is far too complex, technical, and detailed, to be dealt with by exchanges across the Floor of the House? Would he seriously consider the possibility of setting up some sort of committee for investigating the matter and probing it with the thoroughness it needs?
§ The Prime MinisterI am rather shy of putting my faith on any matter of great intricacy in "some sort of committee."
Following is the Note:An operational requirement is drawn up by the Service concerned in consultation with the Ministry of Supply. Steps are taken to prevent unnecessary overlapping between Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm requirements. After detailed examination and acceptance of the requirement by the Ministry of Supply, a contract is placed for the design and development of the aircraft required. It is the responsibility of the aircraft manufacturer to carry through flight and other tests until he considers that the aircraft meets the specification.Throughout this process the Ministry of Supply is in close touch with the progress being made. When the aircraft manufacturer considers that the aircraft meets the specification, further tests are carried out by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment of the Ministry of Supply. Arrangements have recently been made for flight tests to be made by this Establishment's pilots in advance of the formal acceptance trials. In the light of the Establishment's report and in agreement with the Service Department, a release is given by the Ministry of Supply. Throughout, the Service Department is kept informed and takes steps to inform itself of developments.