– in the House of Commons at on 8 April 1941.
Mr Richard Stokes
, Ipswich
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the habit of not dating letters sent in reply to Members of this House is growing in Government Departments; and whether he will give instructions that the day as well as the month is typed on all Departmental replies?
Captain Harry Crookshank
, Gainsborough
I have no reason to believe that there is any general failure to date letters sent to Members of the House, but if the hon. Member has any specific instance in mind, perhaps he would get in touch with the Minister concerned.
Mr Richard Stokes
, Ipswich
In view of the fact that I have many examples here, should I send them all to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary, or to the Departments concerned?
Captain Harry Crookshank
, Gainsborough
Each to the appropriate Ministry, I think. It is no use asking me to deal with them all.
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.
