§ 3.55 p.m.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, if there are no more questions, I have another statement to make on the organisation of defence. When the present Government was formed, the Minister of Defence was entrusted with the task of re-shaping and reorganising the Armed Forces in accordance with current strategic needs and in the light of the economic capacity of the country. For this purpose the Prime Minister redefined the Minister's functions in relation to the Service Departments and the Ministry of Supply, and gave him increased authority to take decisions on matters of general defence policy affecting the size, shape, organisation and equipment of the Armed Forces. The Prime Minister announced this in another place on January 24, 1957.
These arrangements have now been in operation for eighteen months. As a result of a recent careful review, the Government have concluded that they have been justified by practical experience, and that, subject to certain minor alterations, they should now be formally confirmed. In addition, three new features are being introduced. First, the composition and operation of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet is being adjusted in order to secure greater flexibility and efficiency. Secondly, a Defence Board is being set up to assist the Minister of Defence in formulating defence policy and for dealing with inter-Service problems. Thirdly, certain adjustments are being made in the Staff organisation, including the assumption by the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the title of Chief of the Defence Staff. The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve that Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir William Dickson be appointed to this new office.
For the convenience of the House, the Prime Minister has set out in a White Paper an outline of the working of the organisation as adjusted by the changes which I have mentioned this afternoon. Copies of this White Paper are available this afternoon.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, again I must thank the noble Earl for repeating in your Lordships' House the statement of the 1055 Prime Minister on Defence Policy. Of course we have not before us at the moment the contents of the White Paper, and I must say that this is one of the thinnest statements on what apparenly are to be important changes; and until we have studied the White Paper, it is impossible to make any detailed comment on it. I suggested the other day that when the White Paper was produced not only should we require to have a full debate on it but that it might turn out that the changes proposed were such that they ought to be covered by legislation.
I am aware that Section 1 of the Ministry of Defence Act, 1946, which was quoted by the Prime Minister in his statement in another place on June 24, 1957, is general and gives wide powers in regard to the formulation of policy. But I must say that prima facie one of the passages in the noble Earl's very thin and inadequate statement this afternoon requires careful study in connection with the White Paper. I refer to these words:
In addition, three new features are being introduced. First, the composition and operation of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet is being adjusted in order to secure greater flexibility and efficiency. Secondly, a Defence Board is being set up to assist the Minister of Defence in formulating defence policy and for dealing with inter-Service problems. Thirdly, certain adjustments are being made in the Staff organisation, including the assumption by the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the title of Chief of the Defence Staff.I do not see how we can agree with this unless we have a debate, and an early debate, the possibility of which I hope may be pursued through the usual channels.Moreover, while Section 1 of the Ministry of Defence Act, 1946, is, as I say, quite wide in regard to the powers of the Ministry, we should never have anticipated getting that Act through another place on that date in 1946 unless we had had the very detailed structure of the defence organisation in the White Paper at the time that the Bill was presented to Parliament. I hope, therefore, that the noble Earl the Leader of the House will not think that at the moment I am in any way acquiescent to what he has said to your Lordships this afternoon. I, with my noble friends, will make a careful study of the White Paper and, if necessary, I might have to ask that we should consider legislation.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, of course I should not ask the noble Viscount to acquiese this afternoon, but I am reasonably sure that he will, and that when he has studied the Paper it will carry conviction. I think I can set his mind at rest, and I am sure he will come to the conclusion that the changes that have been made do not require legislation. That is certainly the view of the Government. We have been acting under a directive. The purpose of this is to make certain changes, not great changes, to regularise the matter and to inform Parliament and all concerned of the structure of our defence organisation.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, it did not appear to me from the passage that I read out that the directive which arose out of the Prime Minister's statement on January 24th, 1957, included such changes in policy as setting up a separate Defence Board in addition to the Defence Committee of the Cabinet. That is the sort of thing that I think needs consideration.
§ THE EARL OF SWINTONMy Lords, I should like to ask my noble friend the Leader of the House one question. He has said that there will be a rearrangement of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet. I know it is not usual to give the detailed constitution of Cabinet Committees. On the other hand, as he has referred to this matter as an essential part of these reforms, and, as I think the House will agree, it has always been regarded as vitally important, ever since Mr. Balfour established the Committee of Imperial Defence, I am sure he will not mind my asking him whether he can give us an assurance that the Prime Minister himself will remain the Chairman of the Defence Committee?
THE EARL OF HOMEYes, my Lords, I can give that assurance. We do not, in general, want to disclose the names of members of Cabinet Committees, but, as a matter of fact, the names of Ministers on the Defence Committee of the Cabinet have been published before, so that on this occasion my noble friend will find the Defence Committee in the White Paper; and the Prime Minister will be the Chairman.
§ THE EARL OF SWINTONI am obliged.