Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 8 March 1939.
Mr George Buchanan
, Glasgow Gorbals
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that on Monday, 27th February, 1939, the Glasgow Fire Brigade, while on the way to a fire in Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, were held up by traffic signals showing red and that two girls were in grave danger of losing their lives owing to the delay; and whether he will take steps to allow of free passage to fire brigades?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
My attention had not previously been drawn to this case. I should not be prepared to exempt fire brigades from compliance with traffic light signals since serious accidents would certainly occur if these were ignored. Fire engines normally take precedence by common consent. In my view particular cases must be dealt with by the police on the spot.
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.
