Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Supply. – in the House of Commons at on 24 January 1940.
Mr Alfred Denville
, Newcastle upon Tyne Central
asked the Minister of Supply whether he will consider making it possible for parties working for the comfort of the Services to purchase wool and materials at cheaper prices than at present?
Mr John Llewellin
, Uxbridge
Wool required for spinning into knitting wools to be used for making comforts for the fighting forces is issued by the Wool Control to spinners at the same price as that for direct military requirements, and it would not be possible to reduce this price. Voluntary organisations make their own purchases of knitting wools from spinners, wholesalers or retailers, and the prices charged arc subject to the Prices of Goods Act.
Mr Alfred Denville
, Newcastle upon Tyne Central
Do I understand from the Minister's reply, that these parties of women can buy wholesale?
Mr John Llewellin
, Uxbridge
It is not for us to make that arrangement for them. If they can make arrangements to buy wholesale, I hope they will do so.
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.
