Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 June 1947.
Mr James Reid
, Glasgow Hillhead
12:00,
17 June 1947
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish a return for the current year on the lines of the Return of Rates in Scotland published in 1945
Mr Joseph Westwood
, Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs
I regret that the publication of further statistical returns and other Departmental reports is not possible meanwhile in view of printing difficulties. I am, however, sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy of a duplicated return prepared in my Department showing the rates for the years 1945–46 and 1946–47.
Mr James Reid
, Glasgow Hillhead
It seems a pity that the Stationery Office cannot print these dozen pages or so, but if they cannot do so, will the right hon. Gentleman consider producing an abridged return, including the counties and the large burghs?
Mr Joseph Westwood
, Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs
I will certainly be prepared to consider that.
Mr Adam M'Kinlay
, Dunbartonshire
Will the Minister include in the return details of the services given to the ratepayers for the rates paid?
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.
