Food Stocks and Storage Depots

HC Deb 23 June 1954 vol 529 cc38-9W

Sir W. Smithers

106, 107 and 108. asked the Minister of Food (1) the total value of stores held by or on behalf of his Department at the latest date far which figures are available

(2) the 'present value of the land and buildings occupied by stores held by this Department; and what is the number of staff required to protect and administer such stores;

(3) the annual cost of storing, maintaining, protecting and administering the stores held by his Department.

Major Lloyd George

The value of my Department's commercial stocks in the U.K. at 31st March, 1954, was about £210 million; it would not be in the public interest to disclose the value of strategic stocks. The stocks are stored in commercial premises, as well as in Government buildings, all of which are operated by commercial firms with non-Government staff. It is not possible therefore to state either the present value of the land and buildings occupied by or the number of staff engaged in looking after these stocks. The records of storage costs do not separate the costs of movements into and out of store, rent, repairs, etc., from the cost of looking after the stores. The total cost of all these items during the year ended 31st March, 1954, was about £131 million.

109. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Food on how many aerodromes foodstuffs are at present stored by his Department; and what foodstuffs are so stored.

Major Lloyd George

Sixty-eight. The commodities comprise bagged grain, raw sugar, oilseeds, flour, animal feedingstuffs and canned goods.

110. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Food the percentage of the capacity of the Government cold stores at present in use.

Major Lloyd George

All the Government cold stores are in use and the total stocks in them represent about 75 per cent. of capacity.

111. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Food the average return on capital earned for the latest available period by cold storage undertakings under their agreement with his Department.

Major Lloyd George

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraphs 18 and 19 of the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on the Trading Accounts of the Ministry for 1952–53. The percentage returns there quoted are related to capital assessed on a basis not comparable with the capital structure of other industries. On a fair basis of comparison, I have no reason to think that the rate of profit in this industry is out of line with that generally accepted for Government contracts.