Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture. – in the House of Commons at on 16 October 1941.
Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore
, Ayr District of Burghs
asked the Minister of Agriculture why, in the new schedule of rations for horses, supplies of fodder are to be made available for the breeding of thoroughbreds but not of other light horses; and whether he will make arrangements to ensure the maintenance in this country of the breeding of ponies and good heavyweight light horses which are essential to the country?
Mr Robert Hudson
, Southport
Breeders of thoroughbred horses are allowed rations for feeding-stuffs, if they need them, because the Government are anxious to maintain the industry, which is of great national value in relation to the quantity of feeding-stuffs required. The breeding of other light horses can be carried on on agricultural holdings which grow sufficient fodder, and I have received no information of any serious decline in the breeding of such horses.
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.
