Oral Answers to Questions — Food Supplies – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 31 October 1949.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
12:00,
31 October 1949
asked the Minister of Food the number of German representatives who came to England to buy Algerian wine; where they were entertained at Government expense; and what was the cost.
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
The four representatives of the German wine trade who came to England to buy Algerian wine paid their own expenses.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
Were other countries in competition with Germany for the purchase of this wine? Why did the Minister of Food enter into the wine trade, about which he knows nothing?
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
I did not hear the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
I asked why the Minister entered into the wine trade, about which he knows nothing?
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
asked the Minister of Food if, when estimating the profit or loss on Algerian wine, he has included the cost of the London in bond total charges for two years; and what rate the dock authorities granted for the receiving and housing and rent for two years.
Dr Edith Summerskill
, Fulham West
The charge for receiving, housing, and rent for two years was approximately 9d. per gallon. This was included in the cost when the profit was calculated.
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.
