§ Q5. Mr. Bellengerasked the Prime Minister by what date he expects that a decision will have been reached regarding the Ministerial status of the political heads of the Service Departments, consequent on the reorganisation of the control of the Armed Forces of the Crown.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have already told the House, I hope that this question, together with the other details of the scheme for the reorganisation, will be worked out by the summer. I have nothing to add to that.
§ Mr. BellengerThe Prime Minister will be aware that there is more than a possibility that legislation will be needed to deal with the changes outlined by the Minister of Defence. As we have a busy period before us this Session, does he think it will be possible to deal with this matter before the end of the Session?
§ The Prime MinisterNot before the end of the Session, but I hope by the end of the summer to have ready a White Paper setting out the plan in detail. I hope it will be possible to arrange for that to be debated and, if it is found to be necessary to have legislation, the legislation will be introduced in the next Session.
§ Mr. HealeyIs the Prime Minister aware that though many of us would concede the desirability of subordinating Service Ministers to the Minister of Defence, the political advantages of such a step would be nullified if the heads of the Services retained the right of separate access to the Prime Minister? Can he assure the House that he will preserve the absolute right of political control over the Services at the same time as he reduces the status of individual Service Ministers?
§ The Prime MinisterI would rather not deal with any of these questions separately. I prefer to work out plans and discuss them as a whole.
§ Mr. LongdenWill my right hon. Friend take the opportunity of eliminating from the title of the civil head of the Army the words "for war"?
§ The Prime MinisterThe matter has been raised very often as to the nomenclature of Ministers. I think that if we were able to carry through the general plan that question would fall in with the rest.