§ Mr. Skeetasked the Prime Minister (1) why gypsum—hydrated form of calcium sulphate—as a material is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment while calcium sulphate without water—anhydrite—is the responsibility of the Department of Industry;
(2) how many Ministries are responsible for limestone as a building material and limestone as a chemical feedstock, and so on; and whether a single Ministry should be held accountable.
§ The Prime MinisterMinisterial responsibilities relate to industries rather than the materials they use. In Great Britain the Secretary of State for the Environment has responsibility for the uses of materials in construction; the Secretary of State for Industry for materials used in manufacturing industry; and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales for their use in agriculture. In Northern Ireland, the Secretary of State's responsibilities relate to all these industries.
I am satisfied that it would not lead to greater efficiency to have agricultural, construction, industrial and other uses dealt with by one Department, and that the present liaison arrangements are satisfactory.