§ LORD GLYNasked Her Majesty's Government whether any statement can now be made regarding the progress of the Defence Administration Committee, appointed in April, 1957, and when a Report by the Committee may be expected.
§ LORD MANCROFTThis is a standing committee with the task of seeking administrative efficiency and economy. It is not intended that it should wait until it has finished a complete review of Service administration and then write a single comprehensive report, but that it should arrange action, or make recommendations, from time to time as its work proceeds.
For example, it recently tendered advice about the administration of food supplies, as was reported in the observations of my right honourable friend the Minister of Defence on the Second Special Report from the Select Committee on Estimates of the House of Commons.
Any major changes resulting from its work will be announced as decisions are taken. The Statement on Defence shortly to be laid before Parliament will include a reference to the work on which the Committee is currently engaged.
House adjourned at nineteen minutes past seven o'clock.