Mr Neville Chamberlain: Close contact is maintained directly between the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the corresponding research departments in the Dominions. Publications and reports are exchanged, and immediate consultation is usual on all matters of common interest. Additional contacts are provided through the High Commissioners representing Dominion Governments in this country. In...
Mr Neville Chamberlain: The number of inventions submitted to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is not large, and the Department's existing staff is adequate to deal quickly with those which it receives. In any event, inventions such as those relating to munitions of war, or other military, naval, air or home defence problems are referred immediately to the appropriate other Department. The second...
Mr Neville Chamberlain: The Question related to inventions submitted to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. There are not many inventions submitted to that Department. There are, of course, research departments in other Departments of State, to which inventions are submitted. Questions about those should be submitted to the Ministers responsible.
Mr Neville Chamberlain: It is not considered necessary, or in the public interest, to give the publicity to enemy inventions suggested by the hon. Member. Each of the Services has its own Research Department, and all of them maintain the closest liaison with each other, with the other Government Research Departments, and with scientists and engineers outside the Government Services. In this way the appropriate...
Mr Neville Chamberlain: No, Sir, I did not say that. It is impossible to publish every invention which may he devised by the enemy, and if certain of them were selected, it would be pointing out to the enemy those inventions which we think are of importance.
Mr Neville Chamberlain: The hon. Member will be aware that we have already devised a counter to the magnetic mine.
Mr Neville Chamberlain: Up to the outbreak of war, the study of operations involving the co-ordination of all three arms (whether under joint command, unified command or command by the Service playing the predominant part) had been for many years the subject of particular study not only at the Imperial Defence College, but also at the staff colleges of the three Services. The courses at these colleges were closed on...
Mr Neville Chamberlain: The business will be: Tuesday, 21st May: Supply; Committee [8th Allotted Day]. A Debate on the conduct of the economic war will take place. Wednesday, 22nd May: Second Reading of the Colonial Development and Welfare Bill, and Committee stage of the necessary Money Resolution. Thursday, 23rd May: Second Reading of the Limitation of Dividends Bill, and, if there is time, the Second Reading...
Mr Neville Chamberlain: Yes, Sir, In answer to the first question, of course if events should make it desirable to have a general Debate on the conduct of the war or a phase of the war in consequence of fresh developments, we shall be ready to arrange it. The second question which he put to me was whether, if we do have a Debate upon the economic war, we could have it in Secret Session. That, I have already said I...
Mr Neville Chamberlain: We have no desire unduly to restrict the scope of the Debate, and I will consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend.
Mr Neville Chamberlain: No, Sir. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in answer to the hon. Member for Maryhill (Mr. Davidson) on 9th April, it is not considered to be in the national interest to disclose the number and value of contracts placed with individual contractors, but I may add that the figure mentioned on that occasion by the hon. Member for Maryhill as being quoted...
Mr Neville Chamberlain: I know that that was the Question which the hon. Gentleman put and my answer was: No, Sir. I thought that it was desirable to add the information which I gave, because it seemed to me that there might be some genuine and complete misunderstanding on the subject. I may remind the hon. Gentleman that there is already a Select Committee on Expenditure, and I see no reason why this matter should...
Mr Neville Chamberlain: My hon. and gallant Friend can rest assured that His Majesty's Government have fully in mind the considerations such as he mentions.
Mr Neville Chamberlain: I feel sure, even on this day when we are debating matters of high national importance, that the House will not grudge me a minute or two in order, on behalf of myself and my friends, to pay a tribute to the memory of one who had been so long among us that he seemed to be a part of this House, and to offer our respectful sympathy to the relatives whom he has left behind. The passing of Mr....
Mr Neville Chamberlain: The words which the right hon. Gentleman has just uttered make it necessary for me to intervene for a moment or two at this stage. The right hon. Gentleman began his speech by emphasising the gravity of the occasion. What he has said, the challenge which he has thrown out to the Government in general and the attack which he has made on them, and upon me in particular, make it graver still....
Mr Neville Chamberlain: What is the meaning of that observation? I have never represented that my personality [Hon. Members: "You did!"] On the contrary, I took pains to say that personalities ought to have no place in these matters.
Mr Neville Chamberlain: My right hon. Friend will be here in a moment.
Mr Neville Chamberlain: Yes, Sir. Joint Anglo-French Secretariats have been established in connection with various aspects of the Allied war effort. These arrangements are being, and will be, extended as and when necessary. With the hon. Member's permission, I am circulating a statement giving detailed particulars in the Official Report.
Mr Neville Chamberlain: I do not think that there has been any such suggestion up to the present. Obviously, the important thing is to get the closest association between the French and ourselves.
Mr Neville Chamberlain: Yes, Sir. The hon. Member will see that that is so when he looks at the statement which I am circulating.
