§ 50. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister if he will consider transferring the duties of the Minister of Supply relating to experiments in bacteriological warfare from the Minister of Supply to the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. This is a defence matter for which the Ministry of Supply is the appropriate Department.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not the duty of the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland to protect the civil population against bacteria and against the spread of disease? Is there not a certain amount of overlapping in this case? Could not some economy be 284 effected if the matter were transferred to the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland?