Oral Answers to Questions — Aircraft Production – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 June 1944.
Sir Lindsay Everard
, Melton
12:00,
14 June 1944
asked the Minister of Aircraft Production how many nearly new light aircraft of a kind suitable for employment for private flying and the light aeroplane clubs are now in the process of destruction by aircraft firms under orders from his Department; and whether instead they will be retained for post-war civil training.
Sir Stafford Cripps
, Bristol East
No nearly new light aircraft of a kind and quality suitable for employment for private flying and the light aeroplane clubs are in the process of destruction. Obsolete aircraft surplus to Service needs must from time to time be disposed of in order to economise storage space and to allow the limited manpower available to be concentrated on the preparation of aircraft in demand by the Services. I have no doubt that the needs of private flyers and light aeroplane clubs will be easily satisfied when the time comes, though I hope that most of these will be supplied from new production which will help to maintain our aircraft industry in the post-war period.
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.
