§ Mr. Purbrickasked the Secretary of State for Air whether the work of the Minister for Civil Aviation is at present strictly confined to planning; and if the country will be committed to any expenditure under this Minister before the Ministry has been properly established by Act of Parliament.
§ Sir A. SinclairSir, my Noble Friend the Minister for Civil Aviation will be the prime authority in the whole of this field. The actual steps and stages by which his assumption of control will take place is naturally a subject for continuous adjustment. Expenditure for civil aviation purposes will continue for the present to be met from Air Votes. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer intends to introduce at an early date a Supplementary 1803W Estimate to cover the salaries of the Minister for Civil Aviation and his personal staff. Care must be taken that the transference of responsibility does not impede the conduct of the war.