Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Supply. – in the House of Commons at on 31 January 1940.
Sir Reginald Clarry
, Newport (Monmouthshire/Gwent)
asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that Government contractors often find difficulties under the existing timber control arrangements in obtaining requisite supplies of timber to carry out their contracts owing to the contractor, although holding a permit, being unable to obtain either a quotation or supply from timber merchants which would necessitate reducing their stocks; and whether he will consider giving the timber control department the necessary power to requisition stocks held by merchants whenever necessary?
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.
