Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Supply. – in the House of Commons at on 8 November 1939.
Mr. David Adams:
asked the Minister of Supply whether he has any statement to make as to the establishment of area committees; and whether, as a result, there has yet been allocation of work to the new factory accommodation, or when is this likely to ensue?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
I will make a statement on this matter as early as possible, but the detailed arrangements are not yet settled. In the meantime, any offers of factory capacity are being examined, and in a number of these cases orders have already been placed or are being negotiated.
Mr. Adams:
Does the Minister expect to get a specific statement on this important subject?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
An important conference with the trade unions took place yesterday on this matter, and I have great hopes that it will be possible to make an early announcement.
Mr Frederick Cocks
, Broxtowe
Will these area committees have authority to place orders as they did in the last war?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
That matter has not yet been determined, but I imagine that they will not, and that their duties will be advisory.
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.
