HC Deb 07 October 1941 vol 374 cc859-61W
Captain Duncan

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty who is the Director of Economy at the Admiralty; what is the size of his staff and what are his functions; whether members of the Forces and the public can bring instances of alleged waste to his notice personally; and whether he will make a statement on this official's activities since his appointment?

Sir V. Warrender

The functions of a Controller-General of Economy are exercised in the Admiralty by. the Fourth Sea Lord, in his capacity of Superintending Lord of the Naval Store and Victualling Departments of the Navy. For the past 18 months he has had on his personal staff a waste prevention officer, who has established direct contact with the Fleet and naval establishments ashore, for the purpose of co-ordinating methods of ensuring economy and the prevention of waste, and who deals with correspondence on these subjects. A number of waste prevention officers have been appointed also for duty at the ports and other bases. The present Fourth Sea Lord has introduced certain additional safeguards against waste, but it is only fair to point out that it has long been the direct responsibility of the Naval Store and Victualling Departments of the Admiralty, and, in the Fleet, flag officers and captains assisted by their accountant officers, to ensure the exercise of economy and the prevention of waste. All concerned frequently have their attention drawn to new directions in which economy may be effected.

Captain Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for War who is the Director of Economy at the War Office; what is the size of his staff and what are his functions; whether members of the Forces and the public can bring instances of alleged waste directly to his notice; and whether he will make a statement on this official's activities since his appointment?

Captain Margesson

The Controller-General of Economy is Major-General J. Buckley, D.S.O., M.C. He is assisted by seven staff officers. His special duty is to see that the utmost possible economy consistent with efficiency is secured and that the importance of economy is fully appreciated throughout the Army down to the individual soldier. Members of the Forces and of the public are encouraged to bring instances of alleged waste to his notice. Since his appointment the Controller General, who has had a very wide experience of business organisation and administration in civil life, has visited a large number of units and formations inspecting, lecturing and demonstrating how economies can be effected in connection with food, clothing, equipment, transport and stores of every kind. Among the measures which may be attributed to his initiative are the weekly rest day devoted to the maintenance of War Department vehicles; drastic action for the prevention of the misuse of transport; a general tightening-up of the arrangements for the maintenance of equipment; and a number of schemes connected with the preservation of clothing.

Captain Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for Air who is the Director of Economy at the Air Ministry; what is the size of his staff and what are his functions; whether members of the: forces and the public can bring instances of alleged waste directly to his notice; and whether he will make a statement on this official's activities since his appointment?

Sir A. Sinclair

Air Vice-Marshal (late Air Chief Marshal) Sir John Steel is the Controller-General of Economy at the Air Ministry. His functions were stated in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 8th May last. Assisting him at headquarters, the Controller-General has two serving officers and a small clerical staff. Members of the public are at all times free to bring suggestions to his notice and serving personnel are encouraged to assist, in the same way, the anti-waste committees which have been set up at all Royal Air Force units and establishments. The Controller-General has been engaged since his appointment on a general survey and I am satisfied that useful results have been achieved.