Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 November 1947.
Sir John Langford-Holt
, Shrewsbury
12:00,
10 November 1947
asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the production of hay barns for essential agricultural purposes has been seriously delayed during periods 1, 2 and 3, of 1947, owing to the inability of manufacturers to secure supplies of the necessary rolled steel, joists and other necessary steelwork; and whether, having regard to the assurances given that every possible assistance is to be given to agriculture, he will make directions to ensure now a sufficiently high priority to provide adequate supplies of this steel work in the future.
Mr Thomas Williams
, Don Valley
Yes, Sir, I am aware of this delay in production, due primarily to the overall shortage of steel. The position will be improved by the arrangements that have been made for the early issue of "M" forms to hay barn manufacturers.
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.
