Oral Answers to Questions — Overseas Development – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 December 1964.
Mr John Harvey
, Walthamstow East
12:00,
15 December 1964
asked the Minister of Overseas Development whether she proposes to make any changes in the functions and resources of the Commonwealth Development Corporation.
Mrs Barbara Castle
, Blackburn
Responsibility for the Corporation is in process of being transferred to my Department. When this transfer is completed I shall review these matters with the Commonwealth Development Corporation in the light of the needs of the British aid programme as a whole.
Mr John Harvey
, Walthamstow East
Will the right hon. Lady, in her review, bear in mind that the Commonwealth Development Corporation, by helping developing countries to lay some foundations for their own industries, plays a vital part indeed in the aid that we can give? Will the right hon. Lady therefore see that its work is stimulated to the greatest possible extent?
Mrs Barbara Castle
, Blackburn
I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman that the C.D.C. is doing admirable and valuable work, and the purpose of the review will certainly be to strengthen its hand.
Mr Cyril Osborne
, Louth Borough
May I ask the right hon. Lady to be careful not to promise more overseas aid than this country can and is willing to afford?
Mr John Tilney
, Liverpool Wavertree
Will the right hon. Lady, in her review, consider allowing the C.D.C. to operate in the sub-continent of India?
Mrs Barbara Castle
, Blackburn
I would rather not add to the Answer that I have just given.
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.
