§ 16. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether all the stocks held by the late Ministry of Food have now been disposed of; if all the accounts of this Department have been completely paid off and the same wound up; if not, will he state what staff is at present being employed on the winding up of the Food Ministry; and when it is hoped to finally complete the matter?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The staff of the Food Department, including the Wheat Commission, numbered 362 on the 1st May, and is being 1773 progressively reduced month by month. It is hoped that the Ministry of Food accounts will be completed by 30th September, except as regards outstanding claims, for which it is proposed to retain a Food Claims Advisory Committee with a skeleton staff. The accounts of the Wheat Commission cannot be complete until some months later.