– in the House of Commons at on 9 March 1939.
Mr John Leslie
, Sedgefield
asked the Minister of Labour what industries have been set up in the derelict villages in the county of Durham, the nature of the industries, the number of adults, and the number of young persons employed?
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
In reply to the first and second parts of his question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on 13th December, which gave particulars up to that date of the factories established outside the trading estate. Since then a further undertaking has been established at Pallion to manufacture acetylene. I have not the information to answer the third and fourth parts of the question, but I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.
Mr Joseph Batey
, Spennymoor
What is the right hon. Gentleman going to do in the bulk of these mining villages in Durham where no industries have been set up?
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
Continue our efforts with greater intensity.
Mr John Leslie
, Sedgefield
Is it not the case that the reply to my previous question showed that the total number employed was only 839 and that most of them were children?
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
The total number is a list of some dozen individual undertakings. I suggest to the hon. Member that the best way of getting more there is to be grateful to those that come.
Mr Joseph Batey
, Spennymoor
Is not this the question, when are the Government going to get a move on?
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
We are.
Mr Edward Williams
, Ogmore
Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that coal mines are being closed down more quickly than new industries are being started?
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
I would not accept that as a complete statement of the case.
Sir John Haslam
, Bolton
Would it not be advisable for new industries to be set up in districts where they would be appreciated?
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.
