§ Captain Pluggeasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that, at present, there is sufficient decentralisation of the storage of essential commodities to reduce the risk of destruction by enemy action to the lowest possible extent?
§ Captain WaterhouseThe storage of food and of the great majority of raw materials is of course a matter for my right hon. Friends the Minister of Food and the Minister of Supply. I am assured by them that every effort is made to disperse stocks as widely as possible. The Storage and Factory Premises Control has been recently established by the Board of Trade to facilitate the fullest use of all available accommodation. As regards goods in private ownership which are controlled by the Limitation of Supplies Orders, my right hon. Friend has repeatedly emphasised the urgent need for dispersal. He has made it clear that, provided ownership of the goods does not pass to the retailer, controlled goods may be sent for dispersal to retailers' premises before the date when the Orders permit their release.