Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 November 1947.
Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge
, Bedford
12:00,
10 November 1947
asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the acute shortage of sardines in the shops; and whether he will make a statement about supply possibilities.
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
Sardines have been scarce. We recently concluded a contract for the purchase of 250,000 cases of sardines from French Morocco, and we shall be releasing a substantial quantity on points in the rationing period beginning on 7th December. The main source of supply is Portugal, and we have not been able to buy for currency reasons, but I hope that the trade talks about to begin will enable us to start buying there again.
Lieut-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore
, Ayr District of Burghs
Was not the whole of the Portuguese output bought by the United States, and was not this simply a case of delay by the right hon. Gentleman's Department?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
No, Sir. We were unable to go into the Portuguese market, for currency reasons. We could not afford to do so, and there was no question of delay.
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.
