Oral Answers to Questions — Military Training. – in the House of Commons at on 5 June 1939.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Chislehurst
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether his attention has been directed to a resolution passed on 25th May by the Middlesex County Council suggesting a 75 per cent. Government grant towards certain improvement schemes, and recommending further large expenditure on the purchase of land and the issuing of a loan; and, in view of the fact that such internal expenditure is not possible under present circumstances, will he refuse Treasury sanction to these proposals?
Captain Harry Crookshank
, Gainsborough
As regards the first part of the question, the Middlesex County Council have, I understand, resolved not to proceed with certain major highway improvement schemes unless a 75 per cent, grant is made from the Road Fund. This is, however, in excess of the normal grant to highway authorities for works of this nature, and the Government do not propose to approve any departure from the normal procedure. As regards the latter part of the question, the county council have asked for the sanction of the Minister of Health for a loan to enable them to purchase certain land in connection with the scheme for a Green Belt round London. This application is now under consideration by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Chislehurst
Is it not the fact that the Treasury have the last word even if the Minister of Health gives his consent.
Captain Harry Crookshank
, Gainsborough
No, Sir. The consent of the Treasury is not required; it is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.
Mr Charles Ammon
, Camberwell North
Will the Minister resist any pressure from his own back benches that would have the effect of crippling social services and crippling the Green Belt?
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
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.
