Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 13 May 1947.
Lieut-Colonel Granville Sharp
, Spen Valley
12:00,
13 May 1947
asked the Secretary of State for War what economies in manpower have been achieved to date as a result of the investigations into the methods and processes in Ordnance establishments; and what further economies are anticipated.
Mr John Freeman
, Watford
These investigations have not been completed, and I cannot, therefore, yet say what economies may be found practicable.
Lieut-Colonel Granville Sharp
, Spen Valley
Can my hon. Friend say at what rate these investigations are being made? Can he say whether the Committee is working whole-time, or part-time? In view of the large numbers of people still employed at Ordnance establishments, will he speed up the inquiry?
Mr John Freeman
, Watford
There would have had to be a jet propelled investigation if I could answer, "Yes," to the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, but the fact is that the investigations started only a short time ago. I have no reason to suppose that they are not proceeding with proper speed, and I hope we shall have the conclusion before long. It would be absurd to kill the investigations by hurrying them along too much.
Lieut-Colonel Granville Sharp
, Spen Valley
Is my hon. Friend aware that the Minister of Defence stated on 12th March that the investigations were then in progress?
Mr John Freeman
, Watford
They were just in progress at that date.
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.
