Oral Answers to Questions — Government Departments. – in the House of Commons at on 5 December 1939.
Mr Arthur Woodburn
, Clackmannan and Eastern
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether he is prepared to take further steps to prevent increments of wealth to persons or institutions during the war, arising out of all or part of excess profits, in order to minimise the sacrifices required from other sections of the community for the prosecution of the war?
Captain Harry Crookshank
, Gainsborough
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given in answer to a question by the right hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) on 10th October last, to which I have nothing to add.
Mr Arthur Woodburn
, Clackmannan and Eastern
Is the Minister not aware that great dissatisfaction exists because sacrifices are being demanded from large numbers of the population, while other people are still permitted to profiteer in arms and other things?
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
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.
