Oral Answers to Questions — Civil Aviation – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 3 December 1947.
Wing Commander Geoffrey Cooper
, Middlesbrough West
12:00,
3 December 1947
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what are the names of those now appointed to the National Civil Aviation Consultative Council; in particular what is his policy in connection with the inclusion of Members of Parliament on this Council; and what are the principles guiding him in his selection of the members of the Council.
Mr George Lindgren
, Wellingborough
The National Civil Aviation Consultative Council is an advisory body appointed by my noble Friend as being representative of a wide variety of interests associated with civil aviation. Members of Parliament are not included on the Council in that capacity. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the Council's membership and terms of reference.
Wing Commander Geoffrey Cooper
, Middlesbrough West
Would my hon. Friend make representations to his noble Friend on the score of Members of Parliament being included on this Council along the lines of Members being included on the Post Office Advisory Council, because I think this is a similar case?
Mr George Lindgren
, Wellingborough
The Post Office Council is, I think, a consumers' council. This is an advisory council to my noble Friend, and Members of Parliament are not included as such, although they can be included.
Mr Frank Beswick
, Uxbridge
Does not the Minister think that the consumers' interests are among the interests he should consult?
Mr George Lindgren
, Wellingborough
The Air Transport Advisory Council consider consumers' interests.
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.
