Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 15 Ionawr 1964.
Mr Colin Turner
, Woolwich West
12:00,
15 Ionawr 1964
asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to expedite the inter-Departmental inquiry into the future use of the remaining 700 acres of Woolwich Arsenal land, and in particular that land to be vacated by the Royal Ordnance Factory on its closure.
Sir Peter Kirk
, Gravesend
We are conducting the inquiry as quickly as possible.
Mr Colin Turner
, Woolwich West
Does my hon. Friend appreciate the great difficulties confronting the London County Council or the Borough Council of Woolwich until it is known what is to happen to the remaining part of the Arsenal land? It is impossible for anyone, either public authority or private enterprise, to make any plans at all for Woolwich until it is known what has to be cartered for.
Sir Peter Kirk
, Gravesend
Yes, we do appreciate that and we are pressing on as fast as we can.
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Woolwich East
In the meantime, will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will not dispose of this land to other authorities without the agreement of the planning authority?
Sir Peter Kirk
, Gravesend
We shall, of course, be going through the normal procedures with the planning authorities in this matter.
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Woolwich East
asked the Secretary of State for War how many persons are employed in Woolwich Arsenal other than at the Royal Ordnance factory; and when he expects to reach a decision about the future of the Arsenal.
Sir Peter Kirk
, Gravesend
About 2,400. A decision will be made about the future of Woolwich Arsenal as soon as possible.
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Woolwich East
In the meantime, will the Minister confirm that there is no intention of closing down the Arsenal as distinct from the R.O.F.?
Sir Peter Kirk
, Gravesend
There is not, subject to the review at present being conducted by my Department
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.
