– in the House of Commons at on 8 April 1941.
Mr Robert Young
, Newton
asked the Secretary for Petroleum whether he has investigated the statements made by the leading counsel against the chief witness for the prosecution in the petrol case at Newton- le-Willows police court; to what extent have they been found true; what investigations were made at the time of the engagement of this officer by the Petroleum Board; and is he taking any further steps to avoid the employment of undesirable persons in his Department?
Mr Geoffrey Lloyd
, Birmingham, Ladywood
The employment of the officer in question has now terminated. He was recruited through the usual channels of the Ministry of Labour and National Service for temporary Government employment, and the references obtained appeared to be satisfactory. Every possible precaution is taken to secure fit and proper persons for appointments in the Department.
Mr Robert Young
, Newton
Will the hon. Gentleman consult the Minister of Labour to try and avoid this kind of thing?
Mr Geoffrey Lloyd
, Birmingham, Ladywood
Yes, certainly.
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.
