§ 43. Mr. Jenningsasked the Secretary of State for War how many complaints he has received from private persons of the wastage of food, petrol or other materials; how many of them have been investigated, and with what results; and what steps he is taking to ensure that no kind of waste is allowed to occur in his Department?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Oliver Stanley)Since 1st January, 13 complaints of waste of food have been received from private persons. Nine have been investigated, and four are still in process of investigation. No evidence of wanton waste has yet come to light. There has been one complaint of waste of petrol which, on investigation, proved to be groundless. I regard any avoidable waste of food, petrol or other materials in the most serious light and I hope to deal fully in my statement on the introduction of Army Estimates with the measures which are being adopted to prevent it.