Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 November 1947.
Sir Herbert Butcher
, Holland with Boston
12:00,
10 November 1947
asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the reduced rations, he will arrange for frequent surveys of the health and nutrition of the civilian population and for the publications of the reports of such surveys.
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
Surveys of health are the responsibility of the Ministry of Health, but the Ministry of Food has been carrying out a monthly survey of food consumed in the home since 1941, and will continue to do so. A report on the survey results from 1941 to 1946 is now being prepared for publication. Further reports will be published from time to time. Ad hoc surveys are also arranged to investigate current problems and difficulties.
Sir Herbert Butcher
, Holland with Boston
In view of the increased absenteeism from work and the wide concern over food in this country, will the right hon. Gentleman arrange for this survey to be made public at the earliest possible date?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
That is one particular survey; we do publish the results of some surveys.
Mr James Reid
, Glasgow Hillhead
Can the Minister say whether the surveys are to be made monthly, and will he see that there are regular monthly publications of the results at the earliest possible date?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
These surveys have been made monthly since 1941, and their results are published from time to time. That is the system which will continue.
Mr James Reid
, Glasgow Hillhead
Will the Minister publish the results regularly?.
Mr Somerville Hastings
, Barking
Is my right hon. Friend aware that to publish surveys of health too frequently may give rise to quite wrong impressions, because there are so many factors involved?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
Surveys of health are not my responsibility. These are surveys of food consumption.
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.
