§ Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Supply why the timber control is established at Bristol; whether he is aware that the controller is one of the principal directors of a timber firm in Bristol and that the assistant-controller and the controller are connected with timber concerns in London, Manchester and Southampton; 1054W and is he satisfied that such appointments are in the public interest?
§ Mr. BurginIt was considered desirable that the offices of the various raw materials controls should not be set up in London, and, as part of the general scheme, accommodation at Bristol was allocated to the timber control. The reply to the second and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. It is essential that the staffs of the controls should be well acquainted with the trades they are to deal with. As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Storey) on the 29th September, they have ceased for the time being from any active participation in business enterprises in any way connected with the industry, the raw materials of which they are controlling.
§ Mr. J. Morrisasked the Minister of Supply whether he will publish the names of the staff, other than juniors, of the timber central department with their salaries and former occupations?
§ Mr. BurginI am obtaining the information desired by my hon. Friend and will then circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.