Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 24 Ebrill 1947.
Mr Hervey Rhodes
, Ashton-under-Lyne
12:00,
24 Ebrill 1947
asked the President of the Board of Trade if the proposed purchase of approximately 50,000,000 yards of grey cloth from Japan will be paid for in dollars; if the prices will be paid based on current United States values; and by how much it is expected the prices will differ from comparable Lancashire products.
Mr John Belcher
, Sowerby
As regards the first part of the Question, discussions are at present proceeding in Washington as to the basis of payment for purchases and sales between Japan and the sterling area, and I should prefer not to make any statement as to this particular transaction at the present moment. The prices paid are based on current United States values and, while it is not possible to make an exact comparison with the prices of individual types of Lancashire products, they will exceed comparable United Kingdom controlled prices.
Mr Hervey Rhodes
, Ashton-under-Lyne
While not wishing to compromise the Minister, may I ask him if the negotiations are going on between his Department and the United States Commercial Corporation? If he will answer that question I will be satisfied for now.
Mr John Belcher
, Sowerby
Yes, Sir.
Mr Frederick Erroll
, Altrincham and Sale
Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will, when he is able, tell us what is going on?
Mr John Belcher
, Sowerby
Perhaps at some subsequent stage the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question.
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.
