Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Information. – in the House of Commons at on 18 October 1939.
Mr Alfred Edwards
, Middlesbrough East
asked the Minister of Supply why the price of wall-board was fixed at 2s. 1d. when the current market price was 1s. 9d.; and whether he is aware that the effect of this was immediately to increase the cost of this commodity to the maximum allowable under the order?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
The prices for wall-board laid down in the Control of Paper (No. 1) Order were based on the market prices current immediately before the outbreak of war. The hon. Member will realise, however, that they are maximum and not fixed prices. Some qualities of wall-board were undoubtedly sold at lower prices and the Order afforded no justification for raising their price.
Mr Alfred Edwards
, Middlesbrough East
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the effect in the trade was that the prices were immediately raised to the maximum; and will he bear that in mind in future in connection with the fixing of prices?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
I think it only right to point out that there is a very large number of qualities of wall board. I have been assuming that the hon. Member's question related to half-inch insulating board.
Mr Alfred Edwards
, Middlesbrough East
The question referred to wall board which was sold at 1s. 9d., and was immediately raised to 2s. 1d. when the Minister fixed the price.
Mr Herbert Williams
, Croydon South
Is it not the case that in the trade union world, anybody who takes less than the maximum is regarded as a blackleg?
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.
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