Oral Answers to Questions — Electricity Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 31 July 1947.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
12:00,
31 July 1947
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the proportionate difference in the consumption of coal involved in burning electric lamps of the most economical and of inferior type; what steps have been taken to impress on the public and on local authorities the advantage in fuel economy by burning the most economical types of electric lamps; and whether steps will be taken to prohibit the manufacture of uneconomic electric lamps.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
The ordinary filament lamp consumes from three to eight times as much coal as a discharge lamp, according to the type of discharge lamp used. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that the demand for lamps of the latter type exceeds the supply, that he is actively encouraging their development, and in all the circumstances, does not consider it practicable to prohibit the manufacture of the ordinary filament lamp.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton West
Has the Minister made inquiries to find out how long it will be before a more economical lamp is available?
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
If my hon. Friend has in mind the fluorescent type of lamp, or lamps which use sodium or mercury, I am afraid it will take some time because the parts are in process of manufacture, and there are difficulties.
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.
