53. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that jam has been derationed since 5th December, 1948, he will now make some reduction in the staff of his Department, with special regard to the checking side of his Department's office in Oxford.
§ Mr. StracheyOf the nine clerks employed at Oxford on checking returns only three are being retained, to deal with table jellies, mincemeat and imported honey, which are still rationed under the points scheme. Jam rationing made only part-time demands on other staff, but its ending will help us in our successful efforts to reduce the total numbers employed on food control.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Minister aware how very hard I have worked for the de-rationing of jam, and can we not understand that there will be a substantial reduction of redundant staff at Oxford in the immediate future? Why retain them part-time when there is nothing for them to do?
§ Mr. StracheySix of the nine clerks are not being retained.
54. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Food whether it is still his policy to advise jam manufacturers to refrain, as far as possible, from seeking or accepting new bakery customers, in view of the fact that the consumer demand, freed from the restrictions of rationing, has now had adequate time to settle down.
§ Mr. StracheyI think I can now leave jam manufacturers to use their own discretion in this matter.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Minister aware that I am very glad that he can leave something to the discretion of the manufacturers, because they know better than he does how to deal with these matters?
§ Mr. StracheyAnd better than the hon. Member, if I may say so.