Oral Answers to Questions — Employment – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 28 January 1947.
Mr Thomas Reid
, Swindon
12:00,
28 January 1947
asked the Minister of Labour how many days' work were lost owing to strikes from 1st August, 1945, to the most recent date for which figures are available; and how many days were lost in the comparable period from 1st January, 1919.
Mr George Isaacs
, Southwark North
The number of days lost 'through stoppages of work arising out of industrial disputes between 1st August, 1945, and 31st December, 1946, was 3,75o,ooo. In the corresponding period beginning 1st January, 1919, the number of days lost was about 40 million.
Mr Quintin Hogg
, Oxford
While these figures are truly gratifying, and while the right hon. Gentleman is entitled to be pleased with them, is it not a fact that the numerous shortages in production in 1919 were very much less than they are now?
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.
