Oral Answers to Questions — Aden – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 11 Chwefror 1964.
Mr Charles Loughlin
, Gloucestershire West
12:00,
11 Chwefror 1964
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will appoint a judicial inquiry into the present state of emergency in Aden and the Protectorates, and into the operation of Federation in that territory as at present constituted.
Mr Charles Loughlin
, Gloucestershire West
How long is the state of emergency likely to last, and is it possible that some other people will be detained within a short time? Does not the Secretary of State recognise that some really serious problems arise out of the present Federation and possible subsequent independence, about which he knows my views, and will he try to avoid some of the mistakes we have made in the past in connection with federations by sending out a judicial inquiry so that, at the appropriate time. we may be able to institute federation in this part of the world and, possibly, independence emerging in a propor way?
Mr Duncan Sandys
, Wandsworth Streatham
I should like to study the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I cannot see that a judicial inquiry into the present state of emergency in Aden—
Mr Charles Loughlin
, Gloucestershire West
And the Federation. Read the Question.
Mr Duncan Sandys
, Wandsworth Streatham
—and the Protectorates—
Mr Charles Loughlin
, Gloucestershire West
And the Federation.
Mr Duncan Sandys
, Wandsworth Streatham
No, it does not mention the Federation.
Mr Charles Loughlin
, Gloucestershire West
Yes, it does.
Mr Duncan Sandys
, Wandsworth Streatham
It refers to the operation of Federation in the territory. I cannot see that this is a suitable subject for inquiry of that kind; it is a matter for Government policy and for the House of Commons, not for roaming investigations.
Mr Charles Loughlin
, Gloucestershire West
The Minister is very "smart-Aleck" today. Why?
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.
The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
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.
