Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 November 1964.
Mr James Stodart
, Edinburgh West
12:00,
10 November 1964
asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether he will give an estimate of the extra cost to the agricultural industry of the 15 per cent. surcharge on potash.
Mr Niall MacDermot
, Derby North
In a full year the levy imposed by the charge would amount to approximately £1½ million. It cannot be estimated how much of this would be passed on to the agricultural industry.
Mr James Stodart
, Edinburgh West
Why have the Government imposed this charge on what is virtually a raw material and one which cannot be produced in this country? Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, unless it is imported, food production will fall? Did he consult the Minister of Agriculture and the Secretary of State for Scotland before taking this precipitate action?
Mr Niall MacDermot
, Derby North
Potash was not excluded because it did not fall within the category of raw materials, but representations have been received about it and many other cases for exemption. I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement tomorrow.
Commander Sir Peter Agnew
, Worcestershire South
Can the hon. and learned Gentleman give an assurance that any part of the surcharge falling upon agriculture will be taken into account in the next price review?
Mr Niall MacDermot
, Derby North
No. I cannot give such an assurance.
Mr Reginald Maudling
, Barnet
Why not?
Mr Niall MacDermot
, Derby North
Because it is not my responsibility.
The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.
The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.
The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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.
