Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce. – in the House of Commons at on 9 September 1941.
Mr. Graham White:
asked the Minister without Portfolio whether he is now in a position to state what decisions have been taken in regard to the recommendations of the Uthwatt Committee; and whether it is his intention to introduce legislation in this connection at an early date?
Sir Patrick Hannon
, Birmingham Moseley
asked the Minister without Portfolio whether, following the presentation of the report of the Uthwatt Committee, he will now make a statement on the policy of His Majesty's Government following upon the conclusion of the war?
Sir Geoffrey Mander
, Wolverhampton East
asked the Minister with out Portfolio when it is proposed to intro duce legislation consequent on the recommendations of the Uthwatt Committee, and to set up a central planning authority as recommended therein?
Mr Arthur Greenwood
, Wakefield
The decisions of the Government respecting the recommendations of Mr. Justice Uthwatt's Committee and the establishment of a central planning authority were the subject of a statement circulated by me in reply to a Question on 17th July. The Government will introduce the legislation referred to in that statement as soon as possible.
A Minister without Portfolio is a government minister with no specific responsibilities.
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.
