§ 80. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the President of the Board of Trade what special steps have been taken in his Department comparable to the production drives in the country to speed up essential work; and what steps are being taken to eliminate non-essential labour.
§ Mr. BelcherThere is continuous effort in the Board of Trade to simplify and speed up essential work, and to eliminate unnecessary processes. For example, as the hon. Member for South Edinburgh (Sir W. Darling) was informed on 28th October, a special examination is being made of the forms required for export to overseas destinations generally, in consultation with the principal trade organisations interested in export. Mechanisation of routine operations is being developed as fast as equipment becomes available; and there is a continuous process of transfer of staff from less essential to more essential work.
§ 81. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have recently been taken to speed up the turn round of applications of various kinds, so that manufacturers may expect more speedy decisions on matters affecting production; and what steps are being taken to reduce the number of forms in his Department.
§ Mr. BelcherApplications are answered as speedily as the scarcity of typing staff and other circumstances allow. I am anxious to do all I can to streamline controls and forms in use in my Department are kept under continuous scrutiny by the Organisation and Methods Branch, who have to be satisfied that there is a real need for any particular form.