Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 November 1947.
Sir Walter Fletcher
, Bury
12:00,
10 November 1947
asked the Minister of Food at what price and what quantity of sugar has been purchased in Cuba by His Majesty's Government within the last six months; and what is the total expenditure of dollars involved.
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
In view of the negotiations now proceeding with other countries, it would not be in the public interest at this stage to disclose details of our recent purchases of sugar from Cuba.
Sir Walter Fletcher
, Bury
Would not the Minister agree that purchases made recently are very much higher than those made by other countries, and is that not placing a handicap on manufacturers and exporters of sweets from this country which, in turn, produce dollars?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
I have not followed the hon. Gentleman's argument. Perhaps he would put it to me.
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.
