§ 20. Mr. Tinkerasked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now in a position to state the total number of persons employed by the eight Regional Commissioners under his control and the approximate annual cost to the Treasury; and will he give separate figures for each area?
Major Lloyd GeorgeAs the answer involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The regional organisation of my Department consists of 12 regions, eight covering the coal producing areas and four covering non-producing areas. (There is a certain amount of coal produced in the London and South-Eastern area, but for practical purposes it is scheduled as a non-producing area.) The total staff employed in the 12 regions is 3,179, and the approximate annual cost to the Treasury is £725,000. These figures cover staff engaged on all activities of the Ministry, including functions, such as petrol rationing, and the distribution of coal supplied to domestic and controlled premises, which were in operation prior to the formation of the Ministry in June last.
§ The figures for each area are:—
| Producing Regions. | No. of Staff. | Approximate Annual Cost. |
| £ | ||
| Northern "A" | 38 | 14,000 |
| Northern "B" | 142 | 37,000 |
| North Eastern | 299 | 73,000 |
| North Western | 337 | 84,000 |
| North Midland | 297 | 77,000 |
| Midland | 384 | 85,000 |
| Scottish | 287 | 74,000 |
| Wales | 214 | 57,000 |
| Total | 1,998 | £501,000 |
| Non-Producing Regions. | ||
| London and South Eastern | 461 | 91,000 |
| Southern | 251 | 44,000 |
| Eastern | 207 | 38,000 |
| Southwestern | 262 | 51,000 |
| Total | 1,181 | £224,000 |
| GRAND TOTALS | 3,179 | £725,000 |