Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 18 October 1939.
Mr Alexander Walkden
, Bristol South
asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view, of the collapse of the scheme for road and rail co-operation prepared under the aegis of the Ministry by the Road and Rail Central Conference, he will introduce legislation to establish a National Transport Board to take over these vital services, together with inland navigation, in order to ensure that ample and efficient transport facilities may be provided as economically as possible for all necessary purposes on fair and reasonable terms?
Captain Euan Wallace
, Hornsey
No scheme has been prepared under the aegis of my Department and I understand that the negotiations between the road and rail interests, to which the hon. Member refers, have not broken down. I am not prepared to recommend the introduction of legislation on the lines suggested.
Mr Alexander Walkden
, Bristol South
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it was stated in the Press that negotiations have broken down?
Captain Euan Wallace
, Hornsey
My information is that negotiations have not definitely broken down, and I sincerely hope they have not.
Mr Arthur Woodburn
, Clackmannan and Eastern
Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that national interests should come before either road or rail interests?
Captain Euan Wallace
, Hornsey
That is precisely why I could not agree to the proposal in the question.
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.
