Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Information. – in the House of Commons at on 18 October 1939.
Miss Ellen Wilkinson
, Jarrow
asked the Prime Minister, on what qualifications he selected the new Minister of Shipping?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
Character and experience.
Miss Ellen Wilkinson
, Jarrow
May I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the supreme importance of this Department, as shown in the last war, he really thinks, whatever the character of that kindly old gentleman, superannuated—[Interruption.']
Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy
, Daventry
That kind of language is not suitable at Question Time.
Miss Ellen Wilkinson
, Jarrow
Of course, I withdraw the adjectives, and will merely ask whether the Prime Minister thinks that a gentleman of that age, and as far as is known, of no experience of shipping whatever, could be considered in such circumstances as these to be the right person to control this important Department?
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.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
