§ VISCOUNT TEMPLEWOODasked Her Majesty's Government what is the constitutional relation between the Minister of Supply and the Secretary of State for Air in the matter of the selection, design and production of military aircraft.
§ THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (EARL ALEXANDER OF TUNIS)By virtue of the transfer to the Minister of Supply of the functions of the Minister of Aircraft Production upon the amalgamation of that Department with the Ministry of Supply the Minister of Supply is responsible for the design and production of aircraft required by the Secretary of State for Air. In the case of new types, the Air Ministry formulate the operational requirements and the Ministry of Supply undertake the necessary research, development and design to meet those requirements. The cost of doing so is borne on Ministry of Supply Votes. In the case of aircraft already developed, the Ministry of Supply arrange for production in accordance with the requirements of the Air Ministry, the cost being recovered from the Air Ministry. I would add that there is the closest day-to-day collaboration between the staff of the two Departments.
House adjourned at twenty-three minutes before six o'clock.