72. Major BARNESasked the Minister of Food what was the average monthly cost of maintaining regional food controllers and their staffs in the year ending 31st March, 1920; and what is the average monthly cost to-day?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe average monthly cost of the Regional Organisation in the year ending 31st March, 1920, was £100,000. The average monthly cost to-day is £30,000. Every effort is being made to effect further economies, and as a result of these I hope to reduce further the monthly cost to £10,000 by February, 1921.
Captain TERRELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the figures which he has just given us include the cost of the buildings which these regional food controllers occupy?
§ Mr. McCURDYIf my hon. and gallant Friend wants particulars, I shall be glad of notice, but I am under the impression that I am giving the entire cost.
§ 77. Mr. WATERSONasked the Minister of Food how many divisional food Commissioners there are in existence; the total cost of the same; whether there has been any reduction in the number of such officers during the last 12 months; and, if so, how many?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe Regional Organisation of the Ministry of Food originally comprised 10 divisions in England, three in Scotland, and two in Wales. The three Scottish divisions are at present grouped in one, and a reduction of one division in England has been made by the combination of the London and Home Counties divisions. There are at the present time 12 Commissioners in all, at a total annual cost of £11,900. Certain changes are in contemplation during the next three months, which will enable me to effect further economies, but while the staffs can be, and are being, progressively reduced, the areas cannot, in my opinion, be usefully enlarged.