Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 22 January 1959.
Mr Albert Cooper
, Ilford South
12:00,
22 January 1959
asked the President of the Board of Trade if his officers have yet met representatives of Vactric Limited and Nortic Limited; and if he will make a statement.
Mr John Stonehouse
, Wednesbury
asked the President of the Board of Trade when the report of the inquiry into the misleading coupon advertising of second-hand reconditioned washing machines, vacuum cleaners and sewing machines by firms intending to sell new machines by direct methods will be available; and whether it will be published.
Mr David Eccles
, Chippenham
The Chairman of Vactric Ltd. and of Nortic Electrical Ltd. at his own request has seen an officer of the Board of Trade. Other inquiries are still proceeding, and I cannot make a statement until these have been completed.
Mr Albert Cooper
, Ilford South
Is it not reprehensible that the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Stonehouse) should use the privilege of this House to make charges which are quite unsubstantiated, against reputable companies?
Mr William Morrison
, Cirencester and Tewkesbury
That is not a question within the Minister's responsibility.
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.
