§ Sir F. FLANNERYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can state the total amount of cubic feet of refrigerated space in the various cold storages throughout the United. Kingdom at the date of the outbreak of War and to what extent the cubic capacity of cold storage has been increased since, and what is the estimated amount of further increase expected to be realised during the first half of the current year; whether every port of call of shipping, fitted with refrigerated cargo space, will, in the near future, be provided with ample refrigerated warehouse accommodation, so as to prevent the necessity for such vessels leaving port after arrival from their foreign loading ports; whether he can state the reasons for the resignation 323W of Mr. John Wardle, Director of Cold Storage and Inland Transport, and members of his staff; whether he can state if any resignations have been tendered by the officers immediately above the late Director and forming the official channel of communication between the Minister of Food and the Director; and whether the new Director will be compelled to approach the Minister through the same officials or whether an entire reorganisation of the Department will be made?
§ Mr. CLYNESAt the outbreak of War the approximate amount of refrigerated space and various cold air stores throughout the United Kingdom was estimated at 28,000,000 cubic feet nett. This has recently been increased by approximately 3,500,000 cubic feet. The estimated amount of further increase expected during the first half of the current year is 6,100,000 cubic feet. Cold storage accommodation, whether at port of arrival or inland, will, it is hoped, be thus provided for cargoes of vessels fitted with refrigerated space so as to obviate the necessity for such vessels again leaving port. The former Director of Cold Storage and Inland Transport resigned because he was unable to carry out the duties entrusted to him within the limits rendered necessary by proper Treasury control of public expenditure. Practically all the members of his staff are still in the service of the Ministry. The answer to the next part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative, and with regard to the last portion, the reorganisation of the Cold Storage and Inland Transport Department is at present under consideration, but no change is contemplated in existing methods of administration.