Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Supply – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 4 April 1949.
Mr George Strauss
, Lambeth North
It has recently been decided that arrangements shall be made for my Department to take over general responsibility for the production of nonferrous metals in the United Kingdom, except the inspection of health, safety and welfare measures. The Division of responsibility between Departments has not yet been closely defined and no advisers have been appointed.
Commander Sir Douglas Marshall
, Bodmin
Will the Minister see to it, when he does appoint these advisers, that amongst them are some technical experts in Cornish tin mining?
Mr George Strauss
, Lambeth North
The hon. Member may be sure that I shall appoint people who will be best equipped for the job.
Mr Nevil Beechman
, St Ives
Does this mean that the right hon. Gentleman's Department will now be responsible for the publication of the survey that is being made about non-ferrous metals in this country?
Mr George Strauss
, Lambeth North
I think that that is rather a different question, and I should like to see it on the Order Paper.
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.
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