– in the House of Commons at on 28 May 1941.
Mr Edgar Granville
, Eye
asked the Minister of Aircraft Production whether in order to build up a superior air striking force by 1942, he will consider the suggestion for the formation of a production council, representing industry in Great Britain and the United States of America, to achieve standardisation of types, armour and equipment; and, for this purpose, to pool the resources of the aircraft and allied industries in both countries?
Mr Frederick Montague
, Islington West
No, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, on 13th May.
Mr Edgar Granville
, Eye
Will the hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that this is not a case of an inverted Micawber waiting to turn something down?
Mr Frederick Montague
, Islington West
I can give the hon. Member every assurance that it is the policy of the Ministry of Aircraft Production to achieve, as far as possible, coordination between production in this country and in the United States.
Mr Edgar Granville
, Eye
Are you satisfied that you will get a powerful striking Air Force by 1942 without the close collaboration which is suggested in the Question?
Mr Frederick Montague
, Islington West
The Prime Minister's reply, to which I have referred the hon. Member, was a considered reply. If the hon. Member will read it, I think he will see that things are not as bad as he suggests.
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.
