Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 April 1947.
Mr David Gammans
, Hornsey
12:00,
17 April 1947
Is the Minister aware that this man is married to an English woman? Will he please tell the House what useful purpose is gained in making him go back to Singapore, at Government expense, to secure British citizenship, which will enable him automatically to return to this country?
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.
