§ 50. Sir PATRICK FORDasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, with regard to the proposed transference of the customs' testing house for dutiable goods from Leith to Glasgow, if he will state what administrative saving is expected to be made by this change; and what loss or expense is it calculated to cause to 1667 traders in the east of Scotland in general and to the Leith Dock Commissioners in particular?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hore-Belisha)The transference from Leith to Glasgow of the examination of samples of certain classes of dutiable goods at Eastern Scottish and Northumbrian ports is part of a general scheme of reorganisation and centralisation of the work of the Department of the Government Chemist; and it is not possible to state definitely the saving in administrative costs represented by this particular transference of work. It is not anticipated that the examination of samples at Glasgow instead of at Leith will involve any loss or expense to traders in the east of Scotland or to the Leith Dock Commissioners.
§ Sir P. FORDWill my hon. Friend and his colleagues keep their eye on this matter, so that, if it turns out that there is a loss disproportionate to the saving of administrative expenses, he will give some undertaking that we may return to the present condition of affairs in this respect.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHACertainly, Sir. I and my colleagues have more than one eye, and we will keep all of them fixed upon it.