Oral Answers to Questions — British Army. – in the House of Commons at on 17 December 1941.
Major Goronwy Owen
, Caernarvonshire
asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that a large number of dependants of men serving in His Majesty's forces are unable to meet the expense of private medical treatment, he will arrange to provide medical facilities for them as are provided for panel patients?
Mr Wilfred Paling
, Wentworth
I am not aware of any evidence to support the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion, having regard to the recent improvement in the scheme of War Service Grants, which now provides not only for a minimum standard of maintenance but also for grants towards the expenses resulting from serious and prolonged illness in the household.
Major Goronwy Owen
, Caernarvonshire
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is within my own knowledge that the wife of a serving soldier was presented with a bill from her own medical attendant amounting to £12 and would he in that case be able to put it before the War Service Grants Committee?
Mr Wilfred Paling
, Wentworth
That is precisely the kind of case we have in mind for this scheme, and if it comes within the terms of the scheme, it can be dealt with.
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.
