Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 19 November 1964.
Mr David Webster
, Weston-Super-Mare
12:00,
19 November 1964
The Prime Minister will be aware that when, during the autumn, he referred to technological advance in this country, he evoked widespread sympathy. Note was also taken when he appointed a Minister who is more known for resistance to than for acceleration of technological change and it is very much open to remark that when the House of Commons assembles there is nobody in this House who is responsible for this Department, which makes the whole thing a complete sham.
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.
The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
