§ 11. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what savings in staff and administrative costs have been effected in the past four years by dispensing with State trading in foodstuffs and the rationing system.
Mr. AmoryThe net saving in staff formerly employed on rationing and State trading has, over the past four years, been about 19,300. The net saving in salaries is about £8¼ million per annum, in addition to the savings on the Votes of other Departments in respect of such items as accommodation, printing and telephones.
§ Mr. P. WellsCould the Minister state the extra amount consumers have had to pay in consequence for their food over this period?
Mr. AmoryI am quite sure of one thing, and that is that the quality of food which consumers have enjoyed over this period has been steadily improving.
§ Mr. StokesWhat has the right hon. Gentleman done with all the "bodies"? Where have all these people gone?
Mr. AmoryA fairly high proportion were temporary officers, and in most of these cases their employment has been terminated. The established officers have been absorbed elsewhere.
§ Mr. StokesThat is just what I am after. How many of them were established officers who have been merely transferred to another Department?
§ Mr. HurdIs it not a fact, which my right hon. Friend can confirm, that this has meant a saving in his Department which is matched by the savings in the total number of civil servants employed over the past four years?