Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 28 October 1947.
Mr Emrys Hughes
, South Ayrshire
12:00,
28 October 1947
asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Captain William McGrath, of the Drill Hall, Cumnock, has been threatened with eviction by the local military authorities; that no house is available for him in the district; and whether, in view of the fact that this officer has 25 years' service and has three children, he will ensure that this decision will be reconsidered until alternative housing accommodation is available.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
The soldier's married quarter occupied by Captain McGrath is urgently required for a T.A. instructor who will be a married soldier With a family. Captain McGrath was told 2½ years ago that the quarter would be required and that he should make other arrangements for accommodation. Since then repeated official warnings have been issued, the fifth early this month, when Captain McGrath was notified that legal proceedings would be started if the order was not complied with. I regret that I am unable to intervene further.
Mr Emrys Hughes
, South Ayrshire
Will the Minister give a definite guarantee that these long-service men will not be evicted?
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
I am afraid that I have no alternative in the matter. We must have accommodation for the men now in the Services.
Colonel Sir Alan Gomme-Duncan
, Perth
Can the Minister say whether Captain McGrath is a serving officer, and, if so, why is a serving officer in the men's quarters?
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
I understand that in 1943 Captain McGrath was granted an emergency commission and was allowed to remain, but he has now left the army.
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.
