Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Industry – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 19 November 1973.
Mr Raymond Carter
, Birmingham, Northfield
12:00,
19 November 1973
Is the Minister aware that trade between Japan and the United Kingdom is at present based on very unequal positions? Is he aware that in the case of the motor car industry, for example, Japanese manufacturers obtain virtually unimpeded entry into the British market but that British exporters trying to get into Japan face all kinds of difficulties, not altogether due to Government influence? Does he not agree that, unless the Japanese Government and the internal economic workings of Japan come to terms with the fact that we want equal opportunity with them, retaliatory measures will be taken in this country against Japanese products?
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.
