FIGHTING SERVICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22213, 16 March 1934, Page 9

FIGHTING SERVICES

QUESTION OF CO-ORDINATION DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS (British Official Wireless.) (United Presa Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, March 14. (Received March 15, at 5.5 p.m.) The Marquess of Londonderry, replying for the Government in the House of Lords debate On co-ordinating the three fighting services, said that the plan of control by a single Secretary of State of the two departments, with a deputy in one, was recognised as a failure and was dropped in 1921. A ft single Minister in peace time would have such multifarious duties and responsibilities that it would be quite impossible for one man to deal with all the activities involved. There was a definite limit to wise rationalisation and that limit would in his judgment be passed by any attempt to set up a single Ministry of Defence. In time of war effective control of the three services would at & very early stage pass beyond the capacity of any single Minister. The appointment of a Minister, superimposed on the existing organisation, would weaken the authority of Ministers, at the head of the service department. , After outlining the present organisation and the co ordinating work of the Committee of Imperial Defence, the Marquess of Londonderry said that the present system was well suited to the British constitution and ensured that the whole situation was continuously under review. It was at the present time achieving one of the essential purpose* of any defensive system—namely, proper co-ordination of the activities of all the departments concerned.