Oral Answers to Questions — Petrol – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 23 Ionawr 1947.
Mr Christopher Hollis
, Devizes
12:00,
23 Ionawr 1947
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the trivial consumption of petrol for the purpose and the unnecessary trouble caused both to the invalids and to officials by the filling-up of special forms, he will authorise the sale of petrol to owners of mechanical invalid chairs without coupons.
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
I am afraid that it would not be practicable to allow a particular class of consumer to buy petrol without coupons, however small that class may be.
Mr Christopher Hollis
, Devizes
Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is not practicable?
Mr Emanuel Shinwell
, Seaham
There are various reasons why not. I could not enter into details at this moment, but the arrangement for supplying petrol to this deserving class of person is very simple in character. If any difficulty should arise, perhaps the hon. Member would inform me, and I would do my best to help him.
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.
