Oral Answers to Questions — National War Effort. – in the House of Commons at on 19 June 1941.
Mr Ness Edwards
, Caerphilly
asked the Minister of Labour whether he has inquired into the large amount of absentee ism in war production in South Wales, due to the inadequate and congested transport arrangements; and what he pro poses to do to remedy the position?
Mr Ernest Bevin
, Wandsworth Central
My information is that difficulties due to absenteeism in South Wales are decreasing. My local officers are constantly occupied with the difficulties of transporting workers to and from their work arising from the special features of that area and they are in close touch with the Regional Transport Commissioner as well as the other interests concerned.
Mr Ness Edwards
, Caerphilly
Is the Minister aware that representations have been made about the transport position, which is still as bad as it was months ago? Is he aware that in a valley in the Constituency that I represent hundreds of women are left stranded every morning and cannot get to work because buses do not turn up?
Mr Ernest Bevin
, Wandsworth Central
That raises the whole question of the fundamental organisation of transport, and in that connection I am about to consult my Noble Friend the Minister of War Transport.
Sir James Henderson-Stewart
, Fife Eastern
Is the Minister of the opinion that this is the only cause of absenteeism?
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.
In a general election, each Constituency chooses an MP to represent them. MPs have a responsibility to represnt the views of the Constituency in the House of Commons. There are 650 Constituencies, and thus 650 MPs. A citizen of a Constituency is known as a Constituent
