Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at on 2 May 1944.
Mr Adam M'Kinlay
, Dunbartonshire
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland is he is aware that green crops planted in gardens of householders in Dumbartonshire, in response to the appeal to dig for victory, are being destroyed by ground vermin; that the Scottish Office refuse to entertain any application for supplies of protective netting; and will he now advise such householders of alternative means of safeguarding their crops.
Mr. Johnston:
I have consulted my Noble Friend the Minister of Works, who is responsible for the issue of permits to householders for the purchase of protective fencing for their gardens. The supply of suitable fencing presents great difficulty under present conditions. I am informed, however, that for the time being permits to purchase wire-netting will be issued where necessary and so far as supplies permit. Householders may also purchase small quantities of second-hand wire-netting without permits.
Mr Adam M'Kinlay
, Dunbartonshire
Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Ministry of Works removed the protection and that officers of his own Department, last week, refused to recommend any protective netting with which to protect these vegetables?
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.
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.
