Oral Answers to Questions — Fuel and Power – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 29 April 1948.
Mr Wesley Perrins
, Birmingham, Yardley
12:00,
29 April 1948
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that many workers in Birmingham who have accepted the advice of the Government and have staggered their annual holiday, will suffer by reason of the fact that in many cases their annual holiday is due to begin before 1st June, the date chosen for the re-introduction of the basic petrol ration; and, in these circumstances, if he will agree that coupons may be used before the commencing date and make arrangements for the issue of coupons to allow this to be done.
Mr Hugh Gaitskell
, Leeds South
I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lancaster (Mr. F. Maclean) on 26th April.
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.
