Oral Answers to Questions — Fuel and Power – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 27 November 1947.
Colonel Sir Ralph Clarke
, East Grinstead
12:00,
27 November 1947
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he is taking with regard to the supply of fuel elements for gas fires; and if he is aware that the acute shortage of such elements results in a serious waste of gas in fires with broken or missing elements.
Mr Hugh Gaitskell
, Leeds South
Yes, Sir, I am aware of the shortage of ceramic elements for gas fires. I am informed that production is increasing satisfactorily, but owing to the shortage during the war it will be some time before we can overtake demand.
Colonel Sir Ralph Clarke
, East Grinstead
Does the Minister realise that there is here a leak in our coal supplies, and will he do his best and seek the assistance of other Departments in his endeavours to increase supplies as soon as possible?
Mr Hugh Gaitskell
, Leeds South
I will certainly do my best to increase supplies.
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.
