§ 21. Mr. C. S. Taylorasked the Minister of Food the reason for the increase in travelling and incidental expenses of 583 personnel employed by his Department of £10,000, in view of the decrease in the number of people employed.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThis is an estimated figure making allowance, in the light of all the circumstances when the Estimate was prepared, for a rise in transport costs and other incidental expenses. In fact, as a result of more rapid reductions in staff numbers than were then foreseen there will be an appreciable saving on this Estimate.
§ Mr. LewisHas not the Minister shown that in every sphere of activity the cost of living is going up, and that the Departments are having to pay more? It is just another fault of this Government.
§ 22. Mr. C. S. Taylorasked the Minister of Food the reason for the increase of £261,975 in the amount to be spent by his Department on payments for agency services.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe work of more local food offices has been transferred to local offices of other Departments. As a result, payments for agency services take the place of heavier direct administrative costs.
§ Mr. TaylorCould my right hon. and gallant Friend say what the net saving to the taxpayers is in this instance?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeYes, it will run at about £250,000.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonHow much of this expenditure is being incurred by those people who are now having to boil condemned meat for an hour and thus make it fit for consumption by somebody or other?
§ 23. Mr. C. S. Taylorasked the Minister of Food the reason for the increase of £25,286 in the amount to be spent by his Department on special services and general administrative expenses.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThe main factor is the higher scale of fees payable to outside investigating accountants employed in ascertaining the costs and profits of manufacturers, processors and distributors of foodstuffs.