R.A.O.C. Depot, Melmerby

HC Deb 02 February 1948 vol 446 c1465

44. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Supply how many men and how many women are now being employed at the R.A.O.C. depot, Melmerby; what is the weekly cost of keeping the depot open; and what amount of traffic is dealt with per week through the private railway siding.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

Thirty-seven men and six women are employed at the Depot, which costs £233 a week to run. The amount of traffic' received and despatched averages 90 tons a week.

Mr. Turton

Will the Minister look into this and see whether the time has come when the great waste of manpower and womanpower, as well as of public money, involved at this Depot should be discontinued?

Mr. Strauss

I have looked into this and, in view of the special nature of this case, I am satisfied that the manpower involved is really necessary.