§ 45. Mr. Liptonasked the Prime Minister to what extent control of air defence policy has been transferred from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Aviation.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)The creation of the Ministry of Aviation has not affected the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence, as laid down in the White Paper on central organisation for defence published in July, 1958.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the Prime Minister aware that his reply will be viewed with great satisfaction by Service Departments and the general public who applauded his wise decision to transfer his right hon. Friend from Defence to the less senior post of Aviation?
§ The Prime MinisterThe hon. Gentleman has thought fit, in a supplementary question, to introduce an attack upon the former Minister of Defence. I should like to say that it is my view that he did very fine work there, and I regard it as a very good thing that he has undertaken an extremely difficult task at my special request.
§ Mr. GaitskellWill the Prime Minister, nevertheless, clear up some confusion about the exact situation and relationship between the Ministry of Aviation and the Ministry of Defence? The Minister of Aviation has taken over many of the functions of the Minister of Supply which, I think, came under the Minister of Defence. Does the Ministry of Aviation now come under the Ministry of Defence?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the right hon. Gentleman reads the White Paper, he will, I think, see that there is no serious change in what is there laid down.