Oral Answers to Questions — Mercantile Marine. – in the House of Commons at on 5 December 1939.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Shipping whether he is now requisitioning British tonnage for the conveyance of essential Government imports into this country?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
Yes, Sir. With a view to ensuring a regular importation of cereals by the North Atlantic route, I am now requisitioning British ships for the conveyance on this route of full cargoes bought by the Ministry of Food. I shall consider the extension of requisitioning for the conveyance of other essential Government cargoes as circumstances may render this course desirable.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
Can the right hon. Gentleman say anything at this stage about the financial arrangements?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
No, Sir, not at this stage.
Mr Wilfrid Burke
, Burnley
Will the Minister see that there is economic use of requisitioned ships, because some ships requisitioned since August have done only one week's sailing?
Miss Ellen Wilkinson
, Jarrow
Does the right hon. Gentleman not now consider that the deleterious effect of the work of the National Shipbuilding Securities, Ltd., has left this country in such a position that there is not really sufficient shipping to requisition for this important work?
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.
