Oral Answers to Questions — Post-War Reconstruction. – in the House of Commons at on 15 October 1941.
Colonel Arthur Evans:
asked the Minister without Portfolio whether it is his intention to set up a Welsh council for economic and social reconstruction questions; and if so, when?
Mr Arthur Greenwood
, Wakefield
I am always prepared to seek and accept the advice of persons whose expert knowledge would be of assistance on particular aspects of reconstruction, and I am already in touch with persons who have a special knowledge of Wales. If at a later stage it proves desir- able to make more formal arrangements for securing the advice and assistance of persons having expert knowledge of Welsh problems I shall certainly be ready to make them.
Colonel Evans:
In view of the fact that the Minister has considered it necessary to set up such a Council in Scotland, will he bear, in mind that the Principality of Wales has problems and aspirations as well as Scotland?
Mr Arthur Greenwood
, Wakefield
I should not like to be drawn into a discussion of Welsh Nationalism, but I must point out that the position in Scotland is rather different. The Secretary of State for Scotland has enormous authority. He has, combined in himself, the powers of the Minister of Health, the Minister of Agriculture and some of the powers of the Home Secretary. I am willing to receive representations from people experienced in matters of Welsh Government.
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.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
