Oral Answers to Questions — Board of Trade – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 3 December 1964.
Mr Rafton Pounder
, Belfast South
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to renew the shipbuilding credit facilities for a further period.
Mr Roy Mason
, Barnsley
My right hon. Friend has no plans for renewing or extending the Shipbuilding Credit Scheme.
Mr. Taylor:
Is the Minister of State aware that his reply will cause great concern in the shipbuilding industry? Is he aware just how much the industry has benefited from the two years of stability which this scheme has provided? In arriving at this decision, did he take into account the fact that the shipbuilding industry provides a great deal of employment in areas of high unemployment and that in the west of Scotland alone more than 70 per cent. of families depend, directly or indirectly, on this industry? Will he, therefore, review this decision?
Mr Roy Mason
, Barnsley
We are fully aware of the concern which is felt in the shipbuilding industry over the running down of orders following the end of the Shipbuilding Credit Scheme. There is a fair volume of orders still within the industry and this will give us time to make a full appraisal of the fundamental problems facing the industry. That is the practical survey which I am now carrying out.
Miss Irene Ward
, Tynemouth
Will the Minister repeat to the House the pledges made in shipbuilding areas during the election?
Mr Roy Mason
, Barnsley
I was not personally responsible for any of those. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]
Miss Irene Ward
, Tynemouth
The Minister is speaking for the Government.
Mr. Taylor:
I wish to give notice that in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.
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.
