Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 5 June 1945.
Mr. De la Bère:
asked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement regarding the closing down and liquidation of redundant Ministries and Departments, in view of the cessation of the European war.
Mr Winston Churchill
, Epping
The first steps to this end have now been taken and three Ministries—Economic Warfare, Home Security and Production—are either being wound up or swallowed up. Further action in the same direction—and I hope on a larger scale—will follow as soon as possible.
Mr Austin Hopkinson
, Mossley
Will the right hon. Gentleman in future consider the possibility, when he liquidates the Ministry, of liquidating the Minister as well?
Mr Winston Churchill
, Epping
The net reduction of Ministers must be continued.
Mr Denis Pritt
, Hammersmith North
Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making suitably public the fact that his broadcast has at any rate pleased the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère)?
Mr Winston Churchill
, Epping
I hope I may also make public that it has displeased the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt).
Mr Denis Pritt
, Hammersmith North
Would the right hon. Gentleman also accept the assurance of myself and many hon. Members on this side that we think it is worth 50 seats to us?
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.
