Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 November 1947.
Lieut-Colonel Sir Walter Bromley-Davenport
, Knutsford
12:00,
10 November 1947
asked the Minister of Food what amounts of whale oil and whale meat it is anticipated will become available for this country as a result of the forthcoming whaling season in, the Antarctic; and whether he is satisfied that the proposed catch of whales will not in any way endanger future supplies.
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
It is not possible at present to give a reliable forecast of the tonnage of oil and meat likely to be obtained during the coming whaling season. The limit of 16,000 blue whale units imposed by international agreement will be observed and a catch of such dimensions should not, in the opinion of the experts, endanger future supplies.
Lieut-Colonel Sir Walter Bromley-Davenport
, Knutsford
Is the Minister aware that the experts have also issued a statement to the contrary, to the effect that an annual killing of 16,000 whales will render them extinct in the South Polar Sea?
Mr Evelyn Strachey
, Dundee
Other experts have been inclined to take the view that in view of the extreme shortage of oils and fats, this figure ought to be raised for the next few years, so there is a very strong conflict of expert opinion on the subject.
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.
