Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 28 July 1959.
Alice Cullen
, Glasgow Gorbals
12:00,
28 July 1959
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider issuing a circular to all Scottish local authorities, similar to the one issued by the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs on the compensation payable to tenants for disturbance of business under the redevelopment schemes.
Hon. John Maclay
, Renfrewshire West
Yes, Sir. I propose to deal with this matter in a circular which is to be sent shortly to local authorities in Scotland.
Alice Cullen
, Glasgow Gorbals
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as a result of the vast scale of development being undertaken in the area which I have the honour to represent, business people are having to leave, and some of them cannot even find employment? Will he do his very utmost to ensure that these people receive a fair deal under the compensation arrangements?
Hon. John Maclay
, Renfrewshire West
While the use of these powers in any particular case is a matter within the discretion of the local authority, I share the hon. Lady's view that local authorities should make use of the statutory powers wherever appropriate.
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.
