Oral Answers to Questions — Electricity Supplies – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 23 Ionawr 1947.
Mr James Hutchison
, Glasgow Central
12:00,
23 Ionawr 1947
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what definition he proposes to give as to what is considered an extravagant consumption of electricity in connection with the Control of Fuel Order (No. 3), 1942–43.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
If, as I assume, the hon. and gallant Member refers to the Articles of the Control of Fuel (No. 3) Order, 1942, prohibiting the waste or uneconomical use of fuel, including electricity, I think it must be clear that circumstances differ so widely in individual cases that no general definition is practicable. In any case, interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts.
Mr James Hutchison
, Glasgow Central
Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how individuals are to know whether they are being extravagant, unless they have some definition as to what extravagance is?
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
As I say, that is a matter for interpretation.
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.
