Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 6 October 1931.
Sir Frederick Messer
, Tottenham South
asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the Alexandra Palace trustees will be in a difficulty if the suggested grant by the Unemployment Grants Committee is withheld; if he is aware that the work would have found employment for 500 men for three years, and that in anticipation of the grant the preliminary work has been started; and if he can hold out any hope that the grant may be made at an early date?
Mr Milner Gray
, Mid Bedfordshire
My hon. Friend has received further representations with regard to this scheme within the last few days, and is considering whether any useful purpose would be served by again referring the matter to the Unemployment Grants Committee, which has already on two occasions declined to recommend a grant.
Sir Frederick Messer
, Tottenham South
Is it not a fact that a promise was made that a grant would be made?
Mr Milner Gray
, Mid Bedfordshire
A grant can only be made by the Minister on a recommendation from the Unemployments Grants Committee, and that Committee on two occasions have refused to recommend grants.
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.
