Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Air Force – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 June 1964.
Mr Albert Hilton
, South West Norfolk
12:00,
10 June 1964
asked the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions have been given in order to prevent a repetition of the two serious mishaps which have taken place during parachute exercises in Norfolk during the past two years.
Mr Hugh Fraser
, Stafford and Stone
A detailed examination is now being made of the safety criteria of all dropping zones. I have given instructions that the Bridgham Heath dropping zone is not to be used until this examination is complete.
Mr Albert Hilton
, South West Norfolk
I am grateful for that reply, but is the Minister aware that during an exercise just over a year ago paratroops were dropped straddling the main railway line when a train was coming along? Fortunately nobody was seriously injured, although some were slightly injured. Is he also aware that a few weeks ago a cargo of about five tons of dummy ammunition was dropped on a railway track in front of an oncoming train, which was fortunately stopped just before reaching the ammunition, and, further, that on neither occasion had consultations taken place between British Railways and those responsible for the exercise? Does he not agree that if we are to prevent derailment and perhaps serious incidents it is essential at least that consultations should take place between his Department and British Railways before these exercises are held?
Mr Hugh Fraser
, Stafford and Stone
I am looking into this matter. For the meantime I can give the hon. Member at least the assurance that there will be no droppings in this area.
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.
