Oral Answers to Questions — National Health Service – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 20 October 1949.
Mr Stanley Prescott
, Darwen
12:00,
20 October 1949
asked the Minister of Health what total sum of money was owing to chemists throughout Britain under the National Health scheme as at 30th September, 1949; and how far it is still the practice to settle accounts on a monthly basis.
Mr Aneurin Bevan
, Ebbw Vale
It is impracticable at present to price prescriptions in time for a full monthly settlement but chemists are paid on account on a monthly basis. The total amount oustanding at the 30th September in respect of prescriptions dispensed in England and Wales to 31st August, 1949, is estimated at about £1½ million which is less than the total value of one month's prescriptions.
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.
