§ Captain Lyonsasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the approximate number of persons engaged in connection with Government rationing schemes of all kinds in London and the country; and the approximate annual cost of such employment?
§ Captain CrookshankThe number of persons employed in the Ministry of Food on 1st June was 5,434 headquarters staff, 2,959 Area Commodity staff, and 26,586 staff in Divisional and Local Food Offices, making a total of 34,979. The approximate total cost of salaries is £6,084,000. It is not possible to give separate figures for staff specifically employed in connection with rationing schemes as distinct from those employed in connection with food supplies and distribution, etc. The number of staff employed in the Petroleum Department in connection with rationing schemes is 2,076 at an approximate cost of £375,000. The number of staff employed full-time at the Board of Trade in connection with the rationing schemes administered by the Board is approximately 240 at an annual salary cost of approximately £46,000.