Oral Answers to Questions — Public Health. – in the House of Commons at on 17 September 1931.
Mr Thomas Williams
, Don Valley
asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, owing to the recent floods, several hundred people have been rendered homeless at the Toll Bar, Bentley, near Doncaster; and, if so, can he state what steps have been taken by the responsible authorities to find housing accommodation for the people and to deal with the cause by improving the drainage in that area?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:
I have received a report from one of my inspectors who has visited the district, and I am informed that steps have been taken by the local authorities to accommodate in the local schools the persons who have been rendered homeless. The local drainage authorities have under consideration a scheme of drainage for the area.
Mr Thomas Williams
, Don Valley
As a large number of people in the Doncaster district are constantly subjected to serious flooding, will the right hon. Gentleman, in cooperation with the Minister of Agriculture, insist on the drainage committee carrying out remedial measures, since they have now had powers for 2½ years and practically nothing has been done?
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.
