Oral Answers to Questions — Ministry of Food – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 1 February 1954.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
12:00,
1 February 1954
asked the Minister of Food the number of personnel under his jurisdiction on 31st December, 1951, and 1952, and at the latest available date, respectively.
Mr Gwilym Lloyd George
, Newcastle upon Tyne North
The number was 17,254 on 1st January, 1954, as compared with 22,771 on 31st December, 1952, and 26,232 on 31st December, 1951.
Sir Waldron Smithers
, Orpington
Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that I am glad to hear that the number of people who are producing nothing is being reduced, so that they can be returned to productive employment?
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.
