Oral Answers to Questions — Mercantile Marine. – in the House of Commons at on 5 December 1939.
Mr Pierse Loftus
, Lowestoft
asked the Minister of Shipping whether arrangements will be made to furnish the members of the Mercantile Marine with a badge to denote that they are in the Merchant Navy, particularly as there is no prescribed uniform for seafarers other than officers?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to say that His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the issue of a badge for the Mercantile Marine. Arrangements are being made for the distribution of this badge to officers and men in the Merchant Navy to begin on 1st January next.
Mr Pierse Loftus
, Lowestoft
While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, which will be received with general satisfaction, may I ask whether the same privilege will be extended to fishermen on trawlers and drifters who are also facing full war-time dangers?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
Yes, Sir. Badges will be issued to deep-sea fishermen, with the representatives of whom we are in consultation.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the best conditions accompany the issue of badges?
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.
