§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Production whether he will make a statement on the progress which has been so far achieved in the organisation of regional production boards; and what evidence is so far available of the helpful influence of these boards in stimulating war production?
§ Mr. Garro JonesThe new regional boards have been operating since July. Progress is being made in developing through the boards the co-operation of all departments on the regional level. There are several important developments in hand, particularly the setting up of a system of regional capacity offices to deal with the central problem of finding the right capacity for each block of work. During the last two months there has314W been an increase from 36 to 53 in the number of district offices and their district committees operating on local problems of capacity. My right hon. Friend will make a fuller statement in a few weeks time.