– in the House of Commons am ar 28 Tachwedd 1939.
Mr David Logan
, Liverpool Scotland
(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Shipping, whether he can give any information regarding the loss of 22 men on Sunday on the No. 1 Mersey Pilot Boat, and whether he can explain how New Brighton, Hoylake and Rhyl lifeboats were given wrong directions of location of pilot boat?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
In the first place, I should like to express my own deep sympathy and also, I am sure, that of the Members of this House with the relatives of the crew who lost their lives in this unfortunate accident. I have not yet received sufficient information about the case to enable me to answer the specific points raised in the question, but inquiries are being pursued and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.
Mr David Logan
, Liverpool Scotland
I take it that the ordinary inquiry will follow. Is that so?
Mr John Gilmour
, Glasgow Pollok
Yes, Sir. All my information at the moment is from the Press and certain reports which I have received and until I have a full report I cannot say anything further.
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.
