Oral Answers to Questions — India. – in the House of Commons at on 29 April 1929.
Mr Shapurji Saklatvala
, Battersea North
asked the Undersecretary of State for India if the Government of India has made further investigations into the action of some persons who threw explosive bombs in the Legislative Assembly in Delhi; and has he any fresh information to give to the House?
Viscount Turnour
, Horsham and Worthing
Investigations are proceeding, but I have no further information to communicate.
Mr Shapurji Saklatvala
, Battersea North
Will there be also included in the investigations those Government officials and their officers who know something about that funny bomb?
Viscount Turnour
, Horsham and Worthing
I strongly protest against the outrageous suggestion of the hon. Gentleman that this bomb was thrown with the connivance of the Government. It is a most improper suggestion.
Mr Shapurji Saklatvala
, Battersea North
May I ask the Noble Lord to bear in mind that popular feeling and popular opinion, whether pleasant or unpleasant, has to be taken into consideration by the Minister?
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.
