THE  POLITICAL  ACTIVITIES   OF  GOVERNMENT       99
who are only liable for service at home. For the latter the Council
works with the help of local Territorial Associations.
The Air Force. When, early in this century, it appeared
that flying was going to play an important part in warfare, both
Navy and Army developed Air Services which were first brought
under one authority during the War. Control belongs to the
Air Council, presided over by the Secretary of State, with the
Under-Secretary as Vice-President, They are assisted by the
Chief of Air Staff and three Air Members, dealing with Personnel,
Research and Supply. Connected with the Air Ministry there
is also the Director of Civil Aviation, who works under the
Secretary of State, but separately from the Air Council.
General considerations. It will be noticed that each of these
bodies is a mixture of politicians and experts. The latter cannot
properly be compared with the Civil Servants of other Depart-
ments; indeed, each of the Defence organisations has a Secretary
who, with his assistants, performs the work of a Civil Service.
In these three departments there is a real sharing of control;
the First Lord and the Secretaries of State are, it is true,
responsible for their Departments but they are usually far more
under the influence of expert advice than other Ministers. The
overwhelming importance of efficient defence makes them
afraid to go against the advice of experts unless they are very
sure of their ground. Further, the sailor, soldier and airman
enjoy a respect from the public which is not usually given to
Civil Servants. This feeling is explained partly by the feet that
men of the Aimed Forces give up much of their liberty and may
be called on to risk their lives in the public service. There is
also a less creditable explanation; in a world still ruled largely
by force and fear, the experts in force can always command
respect The influence of experts is particularly noticeable in
the Navy, the prestige of which, in an island country, is naturally
great. The Sea Lords' opposition to plans for Disarmament in
1927 is well known, and it was partly on their advice that the
Sedition Act was passed. There are two dangers in this situation.