§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Fuel and Power what the cost was of administering Divisional Petroleum Offices in the United Kingdom in May, 1947; and what it is now.
§ Mr. GaitskellThe monthly cost of the staff employed in Divisional Petroleum Offices in Great Britain together with that of the relevant administrative staff at headquarters was approximately £39,000 in May, 1947, and is now estimated at approximately £50,000. The increase is due partly to overtime, partly to a temporary increase in staff, and to a smaller extent to increased wage scales. In addition my Ministry bears the cost of administering petroleum rationing in Northern Ireland, which averages approximately £5,000 monthly.