Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 January 1947.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
12:00,
22 January 1947
asked the Minister of Food if he will arrange for the immediate withdrawal of ration cards from all men and women who indulge in unofficial strikes, or deduct the number of days on unofficial strike for the next renewal period.
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
No, Sir.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
Is the Minister aware that in the Russian occupied zone of Germany there are notices, "No work, no food"; and unless that principle is applied here quickly, we shall all starve to death?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
I am surprised at the hon. Member's desire to imitate Soviet practice in this matter. While not accepting this as Soviet practice, I would say that the suggestion that he makes in his Question would amount to the Government adopting these tyrannical practices of which he is very often, and, if I may say so, very unjustly accusing us.
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
Mr. Randall.
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
I have called the next Question.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
May I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment?
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.
The Speaker is an MP who has been elected to act as Chairman during debates in the House of Commons. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying out of its business are observed. It is the Speaker who calls MPs to speak, and maintains order in the House. He or she acts as the House's representative in its relations with outside bodies and the other elements of Parliament such as the Lords and the Monarch. The Speaker is also responsible for protecting the interests of minorities in the House. He or she must ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their view without undue obstruction. It is also the Speaker who reprimands, on behalf of the House, an MP brought to the Bar of the House. In the case of disobedience the Speaker can 'name' an MP which results in their suspension from the House for a period. The Speaker must be impartial in all matters. He or she is elected by MPs in the House of Commons but then ceases to be involved in party politics. All sides in the House rely on the Speaker's disinterest. Even after retirement a former Speaker will not take part in political issues. Taking on the office means losing close contact with old colleagues and keeping apart from all groups and interests, even avoiding using the House of Commons dining rooms or bars. The Speaker continues as a Member of Parliament dealing with constituent's letters and problems. By tradition other candidates from the major parties do not contest the Speaker's seat at a General Election. The Speakership dates back to 1377 when Sir Thomas Hungerford was appointed to the role. The title Speaker comes from the fact that the Speaker was the official spokesman of the House of Commons to the Monarch. In the early years of the office, several Speakers suffered violent deaths when they presented unwelcome news to the King. Further information can be obtained from factsheet M2 on the UK Parliament website.
