Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Supply. – in the House of Commons at on 21 February 1940.
Sir Geoffrey Mander
, Wolverhampton East
asked the Minister of Supply whether he will consider the advisability, in view of temptations created by war-time conditions in a new Ministry, of bringing to the attention of the employés in his Department the pro visions of the Prevention of Corruption Acts inflicting penalties for receipt of bribes and secret commissions?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
Yes, Sir.
Sir Geoffrey Mander
, Wolverhampton East
Will my right hon. Friend at the same time make it clear that no reflection whatever is intended on the probity and devotion to duty of the great mass of the Civil Service?
Mr Edward Burgin
, Luton
Yes, Sir.
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.
