§ 45. Mr. ASHLEYasked the Prime Minister if he will state when he pro-poses to introduce legislation to reduce the number of Commissioners forming the Board of Control, as recommended last May in the Report of the Committee of Public Accounts?
Mr. SAMUELThe hon. Member no doubt refers to a recommendation in the Report of the Committee on Public Retrenchment.
§ Mr. ASHLEYPublic Accounts Committee.
Mr. SAMUELMy information is that it is in the Report of the Committee on Public Retrenchment. However the recommendation is the same. The proposal would involve extensive alterations both in the law and in administration which cannot be undertaken at present, especially as one of the Commissioners is serving with the forces, and two are almost wholly engaged in work connected with the War. An immediate reduction would not in any case be practicable, and was not recommended by the Committee: a reduction could only be brought into effect as vacancies occur.
§ Mr. ASHLEYThere is some misunderstanding. I will put the question down again.
§ Sir J. D. REESWould it not be a good opportunity to put off some of the extreme teetotalers on the Board?
§ Sir J. D. REESIt is the Board of Control.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my hon. Friend's question refers to the Board of Liquor Control?
Mr. SAMUELIf the hon. Member wished to refer to that Board he ought to have referred to it as the Central Control Board.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the lunatics are not interned?