§ 16. Mr. Bellengerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to appoint a successor to Sir Reginald Ford, who recently resigned from his post as Chief Divisional Food Controller?
§ Mr. StanleyNo, Sir. The arrangements with regard to food distribution in and around London in time of war, including the duties of the post to which the hon. Member refers, have recently been under review, more particularly so as to ensure that these arrangements will be co-ordinated with the regional scheme for which my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal is responsible. A branch has been created within the Food (Defence Plans) Department to deal with the special problems which may arise in the London area; and the work which it was intended should be undertaken by the Chief Divisional Food Officer in an emergency will, at any rate for the present, be carried out by the head of the new branch.
§ Mr. BellengerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that considerable disquiet has arisen not only over the appointment mentioned in the question, but over other appointments in the Food Control Department of the Ministry, and will he, therefore, review the whole question of these divisional food appointments?
§ Mr. StanleyYes, Sir, I have said so.
§ Mr. StanleyThat is entirely incorrect. What, in fact, has happened is that under the re-organisation, whoever had to undertake this position would have undertaken duties much greater in scope than 2600 originally, and for the present at any rate, in a time of emergency the duties will now have to be done by a man who is a full-time officer in the Department.
§ Mr. BellengerMay I ask whether the same conditions will apply to other regional food controllers?
§ Mr. StanleyThere are no other regional food controllers. This was a special appointment for London. The only other one is in Scotland.
§ Mr. BellengerThe right hon. Gentleman misunderstands me. I am referring to other food controllers for the various regions who were in a somewhat similar position to this officer.
§ Mr. StanleyThey are in an entirely different category. These food divisional officers will remain. This particular post was to have covered districts of certain of these food officers, which are now to be merged into a larger district; and in case of emergency the post will be filled for the time being by a man who is now a full-time official in charge of the special branch dealing with the London problems.
§ Mr. StanleyThere will be no financial saving, because this man will have to be appointed now to deal with the special London problems.