§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many offices are at present maintained in Wales in connection with the operations of the late Ministry of Food; how many persons are still in receipt of salaries;
(2) the functions which are discharged by the offices maintained in Wales in connection with the operations of the late Ministry of Food, the total cost of their maintenance, the total amount paid in salaries, and the date when it is anticipated that these offices will be finally closed?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe Government are considering whether, and to what extent, the maintenance of adequate supplies and equitable distribution of foodstuffs, in case of national emergency, can safely be left to voluntary effort. Until a decision is taken, the Board of Trade are responsible for the maintenace of a nucleus staff. For North and South Wales this nucleus staff comprises eleven salaried officials at Cardiff and Carnarvon. Their principal functions consist in the revision of the schemes of emergency, supply and distribution, and the maintenance of the register of goods carrying vehicles. The inclusive cost is approximately £300 a month.