HC Deb 12 February 1957 vol 564 cc1073-4
45. Major Wall

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give consideration to the proposal that the provision of amphibious warfare craft and vessels be made the direct responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

I recognise the importance of ensuring that tasks which are the responsibility of more than one Service are properly discharged. But I am not persuaded that for this purpose it is necessary to make this change.

Major Wall

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that one of the best ways of attaining co-ordination, and possibly in the future the integration of the Services, is by strengthening the Ministry of Defence? Would not one way of achieving that be by making provision of amphibious warfare craft and helicopters which are used in common by all Services the financial responsibility of that Ministry?

The Prime Minister

At present the amphibious war headquarters, which is under the control of the Minister of Defence, is a technical and co-ordinating body and not a supply body. The future organisation and functions of the Ministry of Defence involve very large issues, which should await our final defence policy.