– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 3 February 1947.
Sir P. Harmon:
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent a plan for European economic federation has been the subject of consideration by His Majesty's Government; if any exchange of views on such projected plan has yet taken place with France and the U.S.A.; and if the economic advantages of closer European economic relations will be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of U.N.O.
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
The answer to the first two Questions is, "No," and to the third, "Yes." In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State to my hon. Friend the Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Philips Price) on 27th January. The Economic Commission for Europe there mentioned is designed to promote closer economic relations within Europe as a whole.
Sir Patrick Hannon
, Birmingham Moseley
Are we to understand that an exchange of views has taken place between this country, the United States, and France in preparation for the forthcoming meeting of U.N.O.?
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
I do not think that there have been any exclusive conversations. This is a matter for U.N.O., which we pressed strongly from the beginning.
Sir Patrick Hannon
, Birmingham Moseley
Is it not important that these negotiations should take place before the meeting of that organisation?
Mr Christopher Mayhew
, Norfolk Southern
It is important to press on, but not necessarily with any exclusive conversations.
Mr Henry Strauss
, Combined English Universities
Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the answer, "No," to the first part of the main Question makes nonsense?
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.
