§ 8. Captain Viscount CURZONasked the hon. and gallant Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the total expenditure required upon fuel, light, and household requisites in Government Departments for 1922–23; how the expenditure of fuel, light, and household effects is controlled and supervised; and whether, seeing that such expenditure could be greatly reduced by adopting a system of rationing, he is prepared to adopt such a system?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe estimated expenditure for fuel, light, and household requisites for the year 1922–23 on Votes administered by my Department is approximately £972,000. Careful and continuous control and supervision are exercised by technical officers. A comprehensive scheme of rationing fuel has been in operation for about four years, and notable economies have been effected. The rationing of light and household articles presents great difficulties, but a modified system has been adopted as far as practicable and substantial economies have been effected.
§ Viscount CURZONDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman not think that some 712 reduction is possible on an expenditure of nearly £1,000,000 on these services?
§ Sir J. GILMOURWe are doing our best to bring that about.