§ 75. Mr. ROSEasked the Food Controller if he can make a statement detailing the number of part- and full-time 1285 officials and employés of his Department; the amount expended for salaries, fees, expenses, office rents, and upkeep for the entire establishment, including branch and provincial offices as well as for headquarters staffs; and whether any measures are being taken, or are in contemplation, for drastically reducing the staffs and expense of the Department?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe total number of the staff of the Ministry of Food at Headquarters and in the provinces was 6,800 at the end of February. This figure includes both part-time and full-time officials. The annual cost of the Department in respect of salaries, etc., at that date was £1,170,000; this figure does not, however, include the cost of office rents or upkeep, as to which I must refer the hon. Member to the Departments responsible for such services, namely, His Majesty's Office of Works and His Majesty's Stationery Office. Reductions in the staff and expenses of the Department are being made as rapidly as possible. Since the declaration of Armistice, the staff has been reduced by over 2,000 officers, with a saving at the rate of approximately £250,000 a year.