Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 31 October 1949.
Sir Patrick Hannon
, Birmingham Moseley
12:00,
31 October 1949
asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the arrangement completed with the Irish Butter Farm Association for the purchase of Irish non-creamery butter for distribution in Great Britain.
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
We have no arrangement for the purchase of butter from the Irish Butter Farm Association. Two purchases of non-creamery butter have, however,' been made from the Irish Dairy Butter Trade Limited, Cork. In June, we bought 564 tons and a further purchase of up to 400 tons was made for delivery in October and November. In each case the butter was bought for food manufacturing purposes, not for the ration.
Sir Patrick Hannon
, Birmingham Moseley
Has the Parliamentary Secretary yet discovered that the quality of Irish butter is the highest in the world?
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
I do not think the hon. Member has sufficiently understood the reply. There is a great deal of difference between non-creamery butter and creamery butter. This is non-creamery butter, for which there is no recognised standard.
Sir Patrick Hannon
, Birmingham Moseley
I repeat my question: is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the fact, whether it is creamery or non-creamery butter, that it is the highest quality butter in the world?
Mr Ronald Ross
, County Londonderry
Has any butter for immediate consumption been imported from Eire this year?
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
No, Sir.
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.
