Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Supply. – in the House of Commons at on 8 November 1939.
Mr Daniel Lipson
, Cheltenham
asked the Minister of Supply what steps have been taken to implement the trade barter agreement with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and, in particular, with regard to the timber to be brought to this country?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
Steps have already been taken to charter steamers to convey timber to this country. Six cargoes of timber under the Agreement have already arrived. Rubber and tin equivalent to the amount so far due has been provided for the Soviet authorities.
Mr Daniel Lipson
, Cheltenham
Will the Minister make sure that all ships leave the White Sea before the port becomes ice-bound?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
The fact that the White Sea becomes ice-bound after a particular date in November was very present in my mind during the whole of these negotiations. I have signed charters for some 29 vessels.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. Lambert Ward:
Can the Minister tell us to what country these vessels belong?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
I cannot say without notice, but a number of them are British.
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.
