Oral Answers to Questions — National War Effort – in the House of Commons at on 25 March 1943.
Mr Rhys Davies
, Westhoughton
asked the Minister of Labour whether, before he decided on the latest call-up of persons employed in the distributive trades, he consulted with the Ministry of Food, employers and trade unions concerned, and satisfied himself and them that there would be a sufficient staff left in food shops to conduct the distribution of rationed and other commodities efficiently; and how many food shops he estimates will close as the result?
Mr Ernest Bevin
, Wandsworth Central
By agreement with my Noble Friend the Minister of Food and after consultation with representatives of the employers and workers concerned, arrangements have been made to regulate the withdrawal of men and women from the food distributive trades in such a way as not to impair an efficient service to the public or to cause the closing down of any business which is necessary for the proper distribution of food.
Mr Rhys Davies
, Westhoughton
If I send the right hon. Gentleman one or two cases where employees and employers are feeling very desperate about this business, will he look into them?
Mr Ernest Bevin
, Wandsworth Central
Certainly, Sir.
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.
