§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give an estimate of the loss, due to pilfering, of equipment from British Restaurants; to what extent such loss affects the Ministry's pool; and by whom is it ultimately borne?
§ Mr. MabaneNo estimate can be given of the loss of equipment from British Restaurants through pilferage. If for any reason the replacement of equipment is necessary, local authorities can purchase what is required through my Department. Expenditure incurred on replacements is chargeable to the British Restaurant trading accounts of local authorities and fails to be recovered in the income received for meals.
§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what was the cost of the equipment in the Ministry's pool at the latest convenient date, including equipment on loan to 799W British Restaurants; and what,part of this latter equipment was permanent and what consumable?
§ Mr. MabaneMy Department does not hold equipment for British Restaurants in anticipation of demands from local authorities, but obtains it, as required, from the Ministry of Works. At 30th April, 1943, the supply of equipment approved and for which delivery instructions have been passed to the Ministry of Works amounted to approximately 790,000. Of this, about £710,000 was for heavy equipment and the remainder for light.