§ 36. Mr. Purbrickasked the Minister of Fuel and Power approximately how many officials will be required to carry out the scheme of rationing fuel; what will be its cost; and how much extra coal does he anticipate' will be saved by compulsory rationing as compared with voluntary fuel saving?
Major Lloyd GeorgeOn staff requirements I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 14 of the Annex to the White Paper of 3rd June, Cmd. 6364. The cost of the staff in the first year would be about £750,000. The rationing scheme is designed to save 10,000,000 tons of coal; there can as yet be no basis for an estimate of the saving that will be achieved by voluntary economy.
§ Mr. PurbrickWill that be added to the cost of the scheme?
Major Lloyd GeorgeOf course, if the money is spent, it is bound to be, but the point is that the savings which would accrue would be of far greater value to the nation.
§ Mr. LevyWhen does my right hon. and gallant Friend propose to start the propaganda for economy in the consumption of fuel, because up to now it has been non-existent or inefficient?