Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies. – in the House of Commons at on 19 November 1941.
Reverend Dr James Little
, Down
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, as it is a matter of urgency for the potato growers, the preparation and erection of the potato processing factories in Northern Ireland are being expedited; when may it be expected that they will be in operation; and whether they will be so constructed that, where required, they can be utilised for starch production?
Major Lloyd George:
As I assured my hon. Friend in reply to his Question on 8th October, the importance of completion of the factories is appreciated and every effort is being made to bring them into operation at the earliest possible date. The plant to be installed is in course of production and some of it is expected to be available for processing in February, and the remainder shortly afterwards. The types selected are suitable for the production both of potato flour for human consumption and of cattle food but not also of potato starch, which lacks the proteins and vitamins present in dried potatoes and for which an entirely different type of plant would be required.
Reverend Dr James Little
, Down
Is it not possible for the Minister to look further into this matter? When potato products are no longer in demand for war purposes starch will still be required.
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.
