Captain COOTEasked the Minister of Food whether it has yet been decided what officials are to be dispensed with in consequence of the abolition of local food control committees; and whether he can give any estimate of the saving which will be effected by this step?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe arrangements for the new local organisation which will take the place of the Food Control Committees at 30th June will, it is anticipated, result in a reduction of staff of about 3,400. The total expenditure on Food Committees for the years ending 31st March, 1919, and 31st March, 1920, was in round figures £1,500,000 and £1,100,000 respectively. Of the latter figure, about £830,000 was in respect of salaries and wages of staff. It is estimated that the annual rate of expenditure on staff under the new arrangements will be approximately £375,000.