HC Deb 08 May 1941 vol 371 c993W
Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make inquiries as to the practice in depots and establishments of burning waste paper in incinerators in view of the fact that the Ministry of Supply are urging the salvage of this material; if such material as steel strips, wire, wood, and other packing material are sorted and salved; and whether he will see that establishments under his control should set an example in recovering all material that can possibly be used again?

Sir A. Sinclair

The vital importance of economy in the use of materials is fully understood in the Royal Air Force and I have recently appointed Air Vice-Marshal (late Air Chief Marshal) Sir John Steel as Controller-General of Economy in the Air Ministry for the purpose of exercising general control over all matters connected with salvage and of ensuring that the utmost economy is practised in the holding, use and disposal of materials of all kinds. Anti-waste committees exist at all units and establishments for the purpose of recommending and initiating measures for the prevention of waste, including the salvage of materials, and command salvage officers have been appointed whose responsibility it is to secure that orders on the subject of salvage are observed. If the hon. Baronet has any evidence which suggests that these orders are being disregarded and will let me have it, I will gladly make inquiries.