Oral Answers to Questions — Jamaica. – in the House of Commons at on 29 March 1939.
Mr William Gallacher
, Fife Western
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reason a state of emergency was declared in Jamaica on 14th February; for how long the declaration was maintained; whether any mobilisation of armed force took place; and what is the present position in the island?
Mr Thomas Inskip
, Fareham
For the first three parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply on 22nd February to questions by the hon. Members for Consett (Mr. David Adams), Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) and West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen). With regard to the present position in the island, conditions have, so far as I am aware, remained peaceful since 20th February, when the emergency regulations ceased to operate.
Mr William Gallacher
, Fife Western
Would the Minister not agree that the conditions would remain peaceful if, instead of terrorism and emergency regulations, democratic institutions were set up?
Mr Thomas Inskip
, Fareham
There was no terrorism in Jamaica on this occasion.
Mr William Gallacher
, Fife Western
There has been on other occasions.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
