§ 48. Mr. Hammersleyasked the Minister of Production the number of clearing centres established at the time of the Citrine Committee's Report; the number now in operation; and the monthly interchanges of capacity arranged by these centres at both these dates?
§ Mr. LytteltonWhen the Citrine Committee reported in May, 1942, there were 36 capacity clearing centres. There are now 59 regional and district capacity offices. During May, 1942, the number of demands for capacity which were satisfied was 1,431. The corresponding number for January, 1943, was 842.
§ Mr. HammersleyIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the practical results achieved have been in accordance with the optimistic expectations?
§ Mr. LytteltonYes, Sir. I do not think one can draw any close comparison between the numbers, which do not take into account either the extent or the importance of the capacity of them.