Oral Answers to Questions — Roads – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 16 Mehefin 1947.
Mr Leslie Solley
, Thurrock
12:00,
16 Mehefin 1947
asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to start work on the Dartford—Purfleet tunnel.
Mr Alfred Barnes
, East Ham South
Tenders are about to be invited for the construction of this tunnel, but until they have been received and examined I am unable to say when the work will be begun.
Mr Leslie Solley
, Thurrock
Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that on 6th May of last year he stated that this project would come within the first two years of his Io-year transport plan; that a year has already gone by; and does he think that this project will be completed within the remaining year of the two years he had in mind?
Mr Alfred Barnes
, East Ham South
It certainly will not be completed within the two years' period, but this is a rather substantial undertaking. Of course, I am hoping that I shall be able to start within the two years, but I cannot give any definite undertaking.
Mr Leslie Solley
, Thurrock
Could my right hon. Friend say that this project will be given every priority, having regard to its great industrial importance in the Purfleet area?
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.
