Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 15 May 1980.
Mr Robert Hughes
, Aberdeen North
12:00,
15 May 1980
Is the Minister aware that the number of fishing vessels lost at sea more than doubled in 1970–80 compared with 1960 to 1970? Is he further aware that there has been an even greater loss of life? Is that due to pressure because of the way in which the fishing industry operates? Will he hold an inquiry into the industry?
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.
