Oral Answers to Questions — Russia. – in the House of Commons at on 30 June 1924.
Mr Thomas Johnston
, Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire Western
asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the important proposal that some arrangement might be made with the Dominions to have the Dominion export of foodstuffs brought to this country at cost price and distributed or sold to the British people with the lowest possible margin to cover expenses; whether this proposal has been accepted by His Majesty's Government and is being submitted for discussion with the Dominion Governments; and whether, in view of the beneficial social and Empire-strengthening effects of such a proposal, he will see that its further elaboration is expedited in every possible way?
Mr George Lambert
, South Molton
asked the Prime Minister if he intends to enter into some arrangement with the Dominions by which the foodstuffs we require to-day may be obtained solely from them by bringing them into this country at cost price and distributing them with the least possible margin?
Mr Ramsay Macdonald
, Aberavon
I presume hon. Members are referring to the suggestion made by the Leader of the Opposition in the course of the debate on the 18th June last. In this connection I have nothing to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the exchequer in reply, except that His Majesty's Government are in communication with the Dominions as to the establishment of the Economic Committee to which he alluded.
Mr Thomas Johnston
, Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire Western
In view of the possibility of securing a national policy in this respect, will the right hon. Gentleman, having come to an agreement with the Leader of His Majesty's Opposition, come to an agreement with the Leader of the Liberal party, and so have a united policy?
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
The "Leader of the Opposition" is head of "Her Majesty's Official Opposition". This position is taken by the Leader of the party with the 2nd largest number of MPs in the Commons.
The Opposition are the political parties in the House of Commons other than the largest or Government party. They are called the Opposition because they sit on the benches opposite the Government in the House of Commons Chamber. The largest of the Opposition parties is known as Her Majesty's Opposition. The role of the Official Opposition is to question and scrutinise the work of Government. The Opposition often votes against the Government. In a sense the Official Opposition is the "Government in waiting".
