Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Navy. – in the House of Commons at on 25 April 1923.
Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck
, Nottingham South
asked the Minister of Labour what number of juveniles is in attendance at the centres for unemployed juveniles; and whether it is the intention of the Government to renew the grant for their continuance after the 31st May?
Mr Anderson Barlow
, Salford South
On the 18th April, 1923—the latest date for which figures are available—8,358 juveniles were in attendance at juvenile unemployment centres. The scheme for the revival of centres was designed to prevent the deterioration of unemployed juveniles during the winter months. I propose, however, to extend the period during which grants will be payable in the case of all centres up to the 30th June next, and in those cases in which centres have only recently been opened for such further period, not beyond the 21st July next, as shall complete a period of three months.
Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck
, Nottingham South
Why does the right hon. Gentleman propose to terminate the grants on 30th June?
Mr Anderson Barlow
, Salford South
The scheme was designed for the winter period and the suggested limit of the training courses was three months. The large Majority have come to an end before that period.
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.
The term "majority" is used in two ways in Parliament. Firstly a Government cannot operate effectively unless it can command a majority in the House of Commons - a majority means winning more than 50% of the votes in a division. Should a Government fail to hold the confidence of the House, it has to hold a General Election. Secondly the term can also be used in an election, where it refers to the margin which the candidate with the most votes has over the candidate coming second. To win a seat a candidate need only have a majority of 1.
