Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Defence – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 June 1954.
Mr Emrys Hughes
, South Ayrshire
12:00,
22 June 1954
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence to give an estimate of the number of Soviet divisions that are now in Eastern Europe; and to what extent he anticipates they can be increased.
Mr Nigel Birch
, Flintshire West
There are believed to be about 82 Soviet divisions in East Europe and West Russia. It is estimated that by one month after mobilisation the present grand total of 175 Soviet divisions could be approximately doubled.
Mr Emrys Hughes
, South Ayrshire
Has the Minister made any calculation as to what extent the Russian and satellite forces are likely to be increased if we proceed with German rearmament? How are we to catch up with 400 divisions and, if he tries to attempt that, how will he carry out the instructions of the Chancellor of the exchequer to reduce defence expenditure?
Mr Nigel Birch
, Flintshire West
I think the hon. Gentleman's points add force to what I hope is his support for E.D.C.
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.
