§ 47. Mr. Petherickasked the Minister of Food in how many cases in 1943 and 1944 has he amalgamated food offices; what was the total saving in money and man-power; and whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the savings in each individual instance.
§ The Minister of Food (Colonel Llewellin)The figures are, 204 in 1943 and 72 in 1944. As other staff changes are made, the savings in man-power can only be given approximately. They were 450 in 1943 and 206 in 1944. The latter figure is not yet complete. I regret that I am not able to give the total saving in money or the further detailed information desired by my hon. Friend. Apart from the reductions in staff at the Food Offices, there are considerable savings in administration at Divisional Food Offices and at Headquarters by way of banking accounts, auditing, stationery, etc.
§ Mr. PetherickCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman explain to the House why it is that he cannot give the savings desired in view of the fact that the claim of the Ministry for bringing about these amalgamations is that they are savings?
§ Colonel LlewellinI gave my hon. Friend the figures of the savings, as far as I have got them, in man-power. It is difficult to give the savings in money because there are promotions in the staff at the same time, and without a very considerable amount of investigation, which would take a great deal of time, it would not be possible to assess the economies.