Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 9 June 1964.
Mr Reginald Sorensen
, Leyton
12:00,
9 June 1964
Does the Prime Minister appreciate that on both sides of the House there is real regret that Parliament, as such, could not express sympathy with India at the recent death of her Prime Minister? Even though there may not be a precedent for this, is that not all the more reason for this matter to be very carefully considered, not only in respect of India but in respect of our other partners in the Commonwealth, so that on occasions of great national calamity, or the death of some eminent statesman, there should be some opportunity in this House for Parliament, as distinct from the Government, to express its sympathy with other Parliaments? Would not he again consider the possibility of devising some means of meeting this situation?
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.