Oral Answers to Questions — Civil Defence. – in the House of Commons at on 1 February 1940.
Mr John Wilmot
, Lambeth Kennington
asked the Minister of Health under what statutory powers municipalities are expending public moneys upon the promotion of public meetings relating to other than municipal matters?
Mr Walter Elliot
, Glasgow Kelvingrove
I am not aware of any general statutory power for the specific purpose mentioned by the hon. Member.
Mr John Wilmot
, Lambeth Kennington
Will money which is expended in this manner by public authorities be subject to Government audit?
Mr Walter Elliot
, Glasgow Kelvingrove
Expenditure of this kind by a borough council would not be in the purview of the Minister unless the accounts of the council were subject to audit by a district auditor. None of the large county boroughs is subject to district audit.
Mr Arthur Jenkins
, Pontypool
Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether expenses incurred in the organisation of public meetings will be paid out of funds which are not subject to Government audit?
Mr Walter Elliot
, Glasgow Kelvingrove
I could not say that.
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.
