Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies. – in the House of Commons at on 18 October 1939.
Sir Adrian Baillie
, Tonbridge
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether it is proposed to control or ration poultry of any kind?
Mr William Morrison
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
The desirability of controlling the price of poultry is being kept under constant review. It is not proposed to include poultry in the rationing scheme.
Mr Robert Gibson
, Greenock
Can the Minister say on what principle a particular item is chosen to be controlled?
Mr William Morrison
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
That is another and a much wider question.
Mr William Thorne
, West Ham Plaistow
Is the Ministry aware that unless poultry is controlled those who have plenty of money will have plenty to eat?
Mr William Morrison
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
We are watching the price movements of poultry very closely, and if it is necessary to control poultry that will be done.
The Chancellor - also known as "Chancellor of the Exchequer" is responsible as a Minister for the treasury, and for the country's economy. For Example, the Chancellor set taxes and tax rates. The Chancellor is the only MP allowed to drink Alcohol in the House of Commons; s/he is permitted an alcoholic drink while delivering the budget.
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.
