Oral Answers to Questions — Ex-Service Men. – in the House of Commons at on 17 January 1924.
Mr Frank Gray
, Oxford
asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of Brown v. Turner, in the Bicester police court, in respect of which the cost of three trials within three months has fallen upon the defendant; whether he is aware that the defendant is receiving treatment for war injuries and has been confined in a hospital for the last year and still is; that the result of this trial is to eject the wife and young family of this man from a cottage with no alternative accommodation, and that the man has suffered in his illness the repeated actions taken in his absence; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
Mr George Tryon
, Brighton
I have not been able to identify the man referred to from the particulars given, nor can I gather in what way my Department is concerned. If, however, the hon. Member will let me have further particulars, I will have inquiry made.
Mr Frank Gray
, Oxford
Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that he himself has asked that this man should be protected, and has left others to do it at their expense?
Mr George Tryon
, Brighton
The hon. Member has given the names of Brown and Turner, and we have tens a thousands of these names. If the hon. Member would enable me to identify these men, inquiries could be made.
Mr Frank Gray
, Oxford
Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the case is identified by reference to the list, and that he himself has conducted a protracted correspondence with the local representative in Oxford?
Mr George Tryon
, Brighton
I have not any personal knowledge, but if the hon. Member wishes to know more, and will help me in the matter, I will endeavour to answer him.
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.