– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 24 Ebrill 1947.
Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge
, Bedford
12:00,
24 Ebrill 1947
asked the Prime- Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are a number of Government officials and serving officers abroad who are indulging in anti-British propaganda based on their dislike of His Majesty's Government; and whether, where there is evidence of disloyal behaviour, he will cancel their present overseas appointments.
Mr Clement Attlee
, Stepney Limehouse
I have no knowledge of any such cases. If the hon. Member has any instances in mind which in his view call for action, no doubt he will let me have particulars.
Mr Thomas Skeffington-Lodge
, Bedford
May I ask the Prime Minister whether he happens to have read a factual article which appeared in last Sunday's "Observer," and will he not agree that it is much better to have these "Dismal Jimmies" and "Wailing Winnies" in this country than to allow them to carry on this mischief overseas?
Mr Clement Attlee
, Stepney Limehouse
I have read that article. I do not know exactly what is meant by the word "factual". I often find statements in newspapers which appear to be facts, but which, from my own knowledge, I cannot accept.
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.
