§ 20. Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to coordinate the requirements of the Armed Forces for helicopters so as to avoid duplication and overlapping in production.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. W. J. Taylor)New requirements for helicopters are formulated by means of close consultation between the Service Departments and the Ministry of Supply. Development and production rests with the Ministry of Supply.
§ Mr. de FreitasThat is exactly the point. Since there are two different types of order for the Services, we are getting two different types of development. Cannot the Parliamentary Secretary at least say that he is aware of the danger of unnecessary duplication?
§ Mr. TaylorI am indeed aware of that danger, but responsibility for consultation with the Service Departments rests with the initiating Department in the first place, while policy is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.