Catalogue description Ministry of Supply: Private Office Papers

The Ministry of Supply was formed on 1 August 1939 and became responsible for the administration of the Royal Ordnance Factories and for the design, inspection, research and experimental work in connection with the supply of munitions, clothing and other stores to the War Office and Air Ministry. It was also responsible for the supply of certain common stores to the Admiralty, Ministry of Home Security, Office of Works and subsequently to other government departments. In addition, the Ministry was given powers to control the acquisition, disposal, manufacture and pricing of raw materials and in September 1939 took over from the Board of Trade its supply organisation.

After the war, the Ministry's functions changed: it took over the powers of the Ministry of Aircraft Production in April 1946 when that Ministry was wound up but at the same time lost responsibility for the control of raw materials (except for iron and steel) which were passed to the Board of Trade. Under the Atomic Energy Act 1946 the Ministry took over from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research the duty of promoting and controlling the development of atomic energy, a responsibility subsequently passed to the Lord President of the Council in 1954.