Oral Answers to Questions — Armed Forces – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 5 November 1947.
Squadron Leader Samuel Segal
, Preston
12:00,
5 November 1947
asked the Minister of Defence when he will undertake to institute a common transport pool for the three Defence Services in order to economise in manpower, vehicles and fuel.
Mr Albert Alexander
, Sheffield, Hillsborough
Long distance haulage is already centralised to a large extent by the Services' use of the Civilian Road Haulage organisation. I am doubtful, however, whether the administrative disadvantages involved in setting up a general transport pool for the Services would be sufficiently offset by possible economies.
Squadron Leader Samuel Segal
, Preston
Could not the right hon. Gentleman attempt to do something to avoid in peacetime some of the anomalies which occurred during the war, such as, for example, that a three-ton lorry was used to convey a latchkey, or that a 64-ft. trailer was used to convey a bottle of typhoid vaccine?
Mr Albert Alexander
, Sheffield, Hillsborough
Certainly. Efforts in that direction are being made all the time.
Mr Stephen Swingler
, Stafford
Can my right hon. Friend say whether those questions are being examined by the Manpower Economy Committee set up in the Service Departments, and whether the report they make on the general question will be placed before this House?
Mr Albert Alexander
, Sheffield, Hillsborough
I would like to have notice of that question.
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.