Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Germany – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 February 1954.
Mr Stephen Swingler
, Newcastle-under-Lyme
12:00,
17 February 1954
Has the Minister of State read recent reports in reputable newspapers, like the "Manchester Guardian," showing that there is a powerful body of West German opinion which, while favouring genuine free elections, is opposed to Germany entering into military alliances? Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman confirm whether these reports are correct, and has he taken them into account in deciding on this policy.
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.
