Oral Answers to Questions — British Army. – in the House of Commons at on 5 December 1939.
Mr William Craven-Ellis
, Southampton
asked the Prime Minister whether he will give consideration to the appointment of a Minister of industry and economic reconstruction at an early date with the responsibility of examining and working out plans with local authorities and industry, which will give employment to His Majesty's Forces when returning to civilian life as well as those now employed on the manufacture of arms and munitions?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
I am unable to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 26th September.
Mr William Craven-Ellis
, Southampton
Does not my right hon. Friend appreciate that it takes some five years to prepare employment schemes, and may I have an assurance that this matter will be considered by the Government at an early date?
Mr Neville Chamberlain
, Birmingham, Edgbaston
I cannot add anything to what I have said before.
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.
