§ 88. Brigadier-General Sir O. THOMASasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he can state what number of the 20,000 persons employed under the Petrol Control Board are still retained at the expense of the taxpayer, and for what purpose?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Bridgeman)I have been asked to reply to this question. The staff of the Petrol Control Department has never at any time exceeded 453 in number, and the actual number at present employed is 341. They are retained for the purpose of issuing Motor Spirit Licence Duty imposed by the Finance Act of 1916.