§ 22. Mr. Dempseyasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the integration of the three Services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftOur purpose is not to integrate the Services but the work of the Ministry which serves them. I made a progress report on this in the debate on the Estimates Committee Report on 6th May. This work is proceeding.
§ Mr. DempseyWould the Secretary of State not agree that it was expected that this co-ordination would eliminate wasteful competition and duplication of offices, and, indeed, other inequities in the Services, and stimulate management in the direction of economy and save the taxpayer some money? Can he say whether we have made any progress in those particular directions?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftYes, very substantial progress in all of them; but as there is a Question on numbers later I think I will wait to give the answer then.