Oral Answers to Questions — Cyprus – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 24 February 1954.
Mr Donald Wade
, Huddersfield West
12:00,
24 February 1954
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what contribution has been, or is to be, made by Her Majesty's Government towards the cost of repairing the damage caused by earthquake in Cyprus last September.
Captain Robert Ryder
, Merton and Morden
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what financial and other assistance has been allocated from United Kingdom resources to assist the people of Cyprus suffering from earthquake damage.
Mr Oliver Lyttelton
, Aldershot
Her Majesty's Government have decided that their financial assistance will take 'the form of a grant in cash of £500,000. In addition, they will bear the cost of the material aid already given by the Armed Services. This is expected to amount to some £250,000 to £300,000.
Mr Donald Wade
, Huddersfield West
Whilst thanking the Minister for that statement, which I hope will be welcomed by all who have the welfare of this island at heart, may I ask what proportion that bears to the total cost which will result from the disaster of last September? Is it correct that the total is not less than £1½ million?
Mr Oliver Lyttelton
, Aldershot
I think the estimate of the hon. Member is about correct.
Captain Robert Ryder
, Merton and Morden
Can my right hon. Friend say what progress is being made in repairing this damage, and whether he will keep the matter under review in case further assistance is needed?
Mr Oliver Lyttelton
, Aldershot
I have a long list herewith which I do not think I should tax the patience of the House—showing the progress made. I should be glad to communicate the list to my hon. and gallant Friend.
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.
