Oral Answers to Questions — China. – in the House of Commons at on 6 December 1926.
Commander OLIVER LOCKERLAMPSON:
47.asked the Prime Minister whether he can grant a day before Christmas for the discussion of the Russian State's influence in relation to the troubles in China?
Mr Stanley Baldwin
, Bewdley
In view of the fact that His Majesty's new Minister to China has just reached that country, and is making a personal investigation of the situation as it presents itself in various parts of the country, I think that such a Debate would be prejudicial at the present time.
Mr John Whitley
, Halifax
The hon. Member must not make a speech in the form of a question.
Mr Herbert Williams
, Reading
May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he thinks the recent speech delivered by the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) is very helpful?
Mr Robert Taylor
, Lincoln
Does the Prime Minister not think the relations at present existing between Britain and Russia are sufficiently important to warrant a day being given to their discussion before Christmas?
Mr Stanley Baldwin
, Bewdley
That rather begs the question, as far as my answer goes. My answer said that, in the view of the Government, a Debate would be prejudicial while our new Minister is meeting with various leaders in China—in Hankow and other places—so as to enable him to report. I quite agree that it is a subject worthy of discussion in this House, but the present moment I think would be inopportune.
Mr Stanley Baldwin
, Bewdley
I should think I may promise that with safety.
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.
