§ 41. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will ration the supply of paper to all Government Departments to 25 per cent. of that used last year, with a view not only to economy, but to releasing for more useful occupations larger numbers of employés, who at present fill in and initial forms?
§ Captain CrookshankIn view of the increasing activities of Departments directly engaged on the war effort, it would not be practicable to adopt a rationing system on the lines suggested by the hon. Member. He may, however, rest assured that the paper requirements of Departments are being specially scrutinised with a view to the maximum possible reduction in all cases. I am unable to accept the implication contained in the last part of the Question.
§ Mr. EdwardsDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that a large number of industrialists and manufacturers in this country feel that there is an unnecessarily large number of forms to fill in, and that if these Departments could be deprived of paper, it would increase the war effort enormously?
§ Captain CrookshankThe hon. Gentleman, in the scheme which he propounds, has forgotten that a great number of Departments were not in existence a year ago, and one cannot therefore ration on a previous basis.
§ Mr. EdwardsRationing could be applied on the basis of the number of Departments in existence before a year ago?
§ Sir Frank SandersonIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that I can give an instance in which seven sheets of foolscap paper were used for one small contract which could be written on one half of one sheet of paper?
§ Captain CrookshankAny question about contracts and the method of arrangement had better be put to the Minister concerned.
§ Sir I. AlberyHas the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's attention been called to page 193 of today's Order Paper?