Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture. – in the House of Commons at on 8 February 1940.
Major-General Sir Alfred Knox
, Wycombe
asked the Minister of Health whether, in the event of future snowfalls, in order to make the streets of London, with as little delay as possible, passable for pedestrians, he will engage unemployed men to clear away the snow?
Mr Walter Elliot
, Glasgow Kelvingrove
Responsibility in this matter is laid by Statute on Metropolitan borough councils, and it is for them to take any necessary steps, including the engaging of labour.
Major-General Sir Alfred Knox
, Wycombe
Was it not the case that during the recent snowfall—in the first days, at all events—they might have cleared streets; and if the local authorities do not do this, is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to take some steps?
Mr Walter Elliot
, Glasgow Kelvingrove
If the local authorities do not do their work it is for the electors in those areas to take steps.
Major-General Sir Alfred Knox
, Wycombe
Yes, but other people suffer.
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.
