HL Deb 28 April 1971 vol 317 cc1188-9

2.43 p.m.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON) rose to move, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Ministry of Aviation Supply (Dissolution) Order 1971 be made in the form of the draft laid before the House on April 20. The noble Lord said: My Lords, in asking the House to accept this Motion I should perhaps explain very briefly the purpose of the Order in Council.

This is to transfer the responsibilities now exercised by the Ministry of Aviation Supply to the Secretary of State for Defence and to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, on the basis of the White Paper on Government Organisation for Defence Procurement and Civil Aerospace presented on April 7 (Cmnd. 4641). Such a reorganisation, involving as it does the dissolution of the Ministry of Aviation Supply, must, under the Ministers of the Crown (Transfer of Functions) Act 1946, be effected by an Order in Council. The humble Address was moved in another place on Monday and was approved, and the Government hope that your Lordships will approve it to-day so that the Order in Council may come into effect on May 1.

There will be an opportunity to debate the White Paper on May 12, when I shall explain the changes which the Government are making in the arrangements for the procurement of defence equipment and for policy towards the aerospace industry. I hope, therefore, that in the circumstances your Lordships will find it convenient to approve this Order to-day without a long debate. I beg to move.

Moved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Ministry of Aviation Supply (Dissolution) Order 1971 be made in the form of the draft laid before the House on April 20.—(Lord Carrington.)

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly. Therefore I hope that all noble Lords will agree to the approval of this Order. Any reservations I have about it I shall keep until the discussion. There is one thing which ought to be said now. I am sure that noble Lords on both sides of the House will be very gratified to realise that responsibility for much of the new arrangements defined in this Order will rest on one with such unique gifts of ability and energy. I am sure that that fact will give gratification to us all.

On Question, Motion agreed to: the said Address to be presented to Her Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.