Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 21 February 1940.
Mr. Ellis Smith asked:
the Minister of Transport whether he will consider allowing an increase in the overall length of passenger vehicles by two feet six inches, in order that the maximum number can be converted without the use of a trailer which is considered by engineers to be a cumbersome and out-of-date practice; and for an increase of three inches in the maximum width so that heavier tyres can be fitted, these allowances being consequent upon the changes already allowed?
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.
