Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 5 August 1924.
Sir Patrick Hannon
, Birmingham Moseley
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to make a statement on the attitude of the Government towards the proposed scheme for the enlargement of the Birmingham-Worcester canal; and whether, in the event of the project receiving the support of his Department, he will expedite the preliminary arrangements by every means at his disposal so that employment may be provided for men now out of work in the coming winter?
Mr Harry Gosling
, Stepney Whitechapel and St George's
I hope shortly to be in a position to announce the decision of the Government with regard to this important scheme, but having regard to the fact that private Bill legislation will be necessary to enable the scheme to be carried out, I am afraid that the proposed works could not in any case be undertaken during the coining winter.
Sir Patrick Hannon
, Birmingham Moseley
Has the hon. Gentleman considered the statement which he received on the subject from the Corporation of Birmingham a few days ago?
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.
