Oral Answers to Questions — Civil Defence. – in the House of Commons at on 1 February 1940.
Mr William Gallacher
, Fife Western
asked the Home Secretary which local authorities have submitted schemes for heavily protected air-raid shelters; which ones have actually carried out such schemes, and how many have been refused sanction so to do; and in what places have heavily protected shelters, as described in handbook 5a, been provided?
Sir John Anderson
, Combined Scottish Universities
As I recently informed the hon. Member, local authorities have put forward a number of proposals for more strongly protected shelters. These proposals have generally been dependent upon the use of existing natural features capable of ready adaptation and, in pursuance of the Government's policy, approval has not been given except when that was the case.
Mr William Gallacher
, Fife Western
In the case of North Queensferry, so well known to the Minister, in view of the fact that public servants there are right opposite the target, the Forth Bridge, will he not give encouragement to the provision of bombproof shelters along the cliff side?
Sir John Anderson
, Combined Scottish Universities
No, Sir, I do not think that would be the best method of dealing with that particular case.
Mr Robert Gibson
, Greenock
Can the Minister say how many of these proposals have come from Scotland?
Sir John Anderson
, Combined Scottish Universities
Not off-hand.
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.
