Oral Answers to Questions — Coal Industry – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 27 November 1947.
Mr Emrys Hughes
, South Ayrshire
12:00,
27 November 1947
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what payment per ton is paid in commission to coal agents in Ayrshire and Glasgow for distributing coal to merchants; and what is the precise nature of the service they render.
Mr Hugh Gaitskell
, Leeds South
By "coal agents" I assume my hon. Friend is referring to wholesale distributors, or factors who act as middlemen between collieries and the retail coal merchants. The usual factorage charged by distributors is 1s. a ton in Ayrshire and Glasgow, but there may be cases where it is below or above this figure. The service performed is in the main the assumption of financial responsibility for the sales of coal.
Mr Emrys Hughes
, South Ayrshire
Does the Minister think that these factors are absolutely necessary?
Mr Hugh Gaitskell
, Leeds South
I would not care, without further investigation, to express an opinion, but I have already told my hon. Friend that the Coal Board are going into the matter very shortly.
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.
