Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 4 February 1947.
Mr James Hutchison
, Glasgow Central
12:00,
4 February 1947
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer what demands upon the World Bank for Reconstruction have been made from this country.
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
None, Sir.
Mr James Hutchison
, Glasgow Central
Does that mean that the World Bank is not functioning, and is the Chancellor prepared to make some statement as to why the World Bank has not got into its stride?
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
No, Sir. What it means is that no demands have been made from this country—and I think that answers the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Question. It has nothing to do with the functioning of the World Bank in other directions.
Mr James Hutchison
, Glasgow Central
But it does lead to the question whether the World Bank is available for the receipt of demands such as those referred to in the Question.
Mr Hugh Dalton
, Bishop Auckland
That is not the Question on the Order Paper. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman wants further information and will put down a Question I will endeavour to answer him.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
The Chancellor - also known as "Chancellor of the Exchequer" is responsible as a Minister for the treasury, and for the country's economy. For Example, the Chancellor set taxes and tax rates. The Chancellor is the only MP allowed to drink Alcohol in the House of Commons; s/he is permitted an alcoholic drink while delivering the budget.
The order paper is issued daily and lists the business which will be dealt with during that day's sitting of the House of Commons.
It provides MPs with details of what will be happening in the House throughout the day.
It also gives details of when and where the standing committees and select committees of the Commons will be meeting.
Written questions tabled to ministers by MPs on the previous day are listed at the back of the order paper.
The order paper forms one section of the daily vote bundle and is issued by the Vote Office
