Oral Answers to Questions — Mercantile Marine. – in the House of Commons at on 5 December 1939.
Sir Edward Keeling
, Twickenham
asked the Minister of Shipping whether there is still no boat-drill for passengers on the Liverpool-Belfast steamers, and no information given to them as to where they should assemble in an emergency; and whether he will arrange for a compulsory muster in lifebelts at boat stations immediately after these and all other passenger steamers leave British ports?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
As I stated in answer to my hon. Friend's question on 21st November notices are displayed in every cabin informing passengers where they should assemble in emergency. The company have made special arrangements to see that each passenger knows where his lifebelt is, how to put it on and where to assemble. I think that every reasonable step is now being taken, and I am sending my hon. Friend full information as to the emergency arrangements on these vessels and the general requirements for all passenger ships leaving British ports.
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.
