Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 31 January 1940.
Mr Ellis Smith
, Stoke-on-Trent Stoke
asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken or proposes to take to mobolise a national transport system, to include all forms of transport, co-ordinated for the purpose of utilising it to the best advantage, and, in the event of a sudden strain or breakdown in any form of transport, is he satisfied that alternative mid adequate transport is available and ready to be used at once?
Captain Euan Wallace
, Hornsey
I think the present system provides a combination of elasticity and control which makes the best use of the different means of transport available. The Regional Transport Commissioners' organisations are largely designed to secure the provision of adequate alternative means of transport in case of sudden strain or breakdown. The whole system is kept under constant scrutiny and I shall not hesitate to introduce any changes which would appear to make for still better co-ordination.
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.
