§ Brigadier Raynerasked the Minister of Food what are his reasons for refusing to recompense the Totnes Rural District Council for the full amount of the money expended on the erection of a British Restaurant at South Brent; and whether he will reconsider the matter.
§ Mr. StracheyDuring the war my Department undertook to reimburse approved expenditure incurred in the establishment of British Restaurants. The Totnes Rural District Council, in September, 1941, submitted a scheme which called for a total expenditure of £441 0s. 0d., £110 0s. 0d. of which was for structural work and which was duly approved. The Council later suggested that additional work, including the provision of living accommodation for the supervisor, be undertaken. They were informed on 15th February, 1942, that only the expenditure already agreed would be approved for reimbursement. Nevertheless, the Council, without further reference to my Department, took 14 months to complete the structural work at a total cost of about £460. By that time conditions had changed and the restaurant was not opened. The Council were at fault, both in expending about £350 on unapproved structural work and in failing earlier to see that the need for the restaurant had ceased. This case has already been very fully considered and I can find no reason to re-open the matter.