§ 36. Colonel Clarkeasked the Minister of Food the cost in expenses, salaries and fares of the four relief typists recently brought from Colwyn Bay to Hayward's Heath for his carrot division for four weeks; and if he is aware that local girl typists could have been obtained.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe cost was £87 17s. 2d. Two of the typists were sent from Chelmsford, where they were already on relief work. The normal practice of approaching the local employment exchange was not followed in this case as the area supervisor at Hayward's Heath had himself been asked for help by firms who had been unable to obtain typists from the exchange.
§ Colonel ClarkeIs the right hon. Lady aware that at that time typists were available locally and that if they had been employed all the cost of travelling and of maintenance away from home might have been saved; and if this is going on all over the country, is it surprising that her Ministry confesses to a loss of over £1 million on carrots and £4½ million on potatoes?
§ Dr. SummerskillI looked into this matter very carefully and I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the information 1774 I received about typists being available is not the same as his information.
§ Mr. OsborneNow that supply has caught up with demand, why do not the Government abolish the carrot division altogether?
§ Dr. SummerskillThat is another question.