§ Mr. RATCLIFFEasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the rent of the offices occupied by his Department at Bradford amounts to £230 per annum besides rates, making altogether about £400 per annum, or about £28 10s. per office room for each of the fourteen persons employed there; and, in view of this high cost and the great scarcity of offices 1471W in Bradford for real business purposes, can he release these offices?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe figures given in the first part of the question are approximately correct. I am fully aware of the high costs and the great difficulty of securing suitable office accommodation under present conditions. In the case of the office required for the enlarged Bradford district under the new arrangements, negotiations are still proceeding, and I am unable at present to say definitely in what building the office will be located. As to the relative importance of the work to be done in Food Offices and in those utilised for "real business purposes," I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given him by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry on the 9th instant.