§ Mr. R. YOUNGasked the Minister of Food if the Godstone district food control office is the only district in the London and home counties area which has not been amalgamated with other districts since local food committees were abolished; if so, the reason; and whether, in view of the fact that an expenditure of about £250 is involved by the continuance of a separate office, he will, in the interests of public economy, take steps to amalgamate Godstone with an adjoining district?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The special circumstances of each district in the London and home counties division were carefully considered, and in a number of cases amalgamation was found to be in advisable. In the case of Godstone, the nearest food offices with which amalgamation would have been practicable are situated at Croydon and Reigate respectively, and in view of the difficulty of access by the rural population of Godstone to these two points, amalgamation was not considered desirable so long as the rationing of sugar has to be continued. The possibilities of further amalgamation in all parts of the country with a view to securing economy of expenditure are being continuously kept under observation, but, at the moment, I do not consider it desirable to alter the arrangements in force in the Godstone district.