Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 6 October 1931.
Mr George Hardie
, Glasgow Springburn
asked the Minister of Labour whether his Department has yet fixed the standard of income before public assistance is to be given in Scotland; and whether the old age or other pension is to be part of the calculations?
Mr Milner Gray
, Mid Bedfordshire
I assume the hon. Member refers to the proposals for making transitional payments. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for Frame (Mr. Gould) and South Shields (Mr. Ede) on 1st October. I understand that the practice of public assistance authorities in Scotland in this respect is broadly the same as that of authorities in England and Wales, as set out in that reply.
Mr George Hardie
, Glasgow Springburn
Does not the hon. Gentleman think it an injustice to Scotland that the law of Scotland should be sought to be changed to bring it into line with that of England? Is it not a great injustice to he inflicted on the poor people of Scotland?
Mr Jack Lawson
, Chester-le-Street
When will the regulations be laid?
Mr Milner Gray
, Mid Bedfordshire
They will be laid shortly.
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.
