§ 46. Mr. Sharpasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what work has been carried out by the Government Organisation Committee since July,1948; and, apart from those associated with the removal of controls, what main recommendations and economies have so far been made.
§ Mr. Glenvil HallOf the recommendations made by the Commitee so far, only those relating to controls have called for any public announcement. The majority of the inquiries set on foot by the Committee are, however, still in progress, and it is too early yet to say anything about most of them. My hon. Friend will, however, have noticed that the following inquiries have been announced either to the House or in the Press:
(1) Central and local government: appointment of Local Government Manpower Committee.
(2) Ministry of Supply: review of organisation.
174Wments at present market value) is £51,690,000. I have no immediate proposals for extending the purposes for which the fund may be used, as I intend to await the report from the recently setup Committee under the Chairmanship of Sir E. Gowers before arriving at any decision.
Mr. H. D. Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the properties now accepted by the National Land Fund, giving the acreage of land in each case, and the bodies to which they have been transferred.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe following are the properties so far accepted, with their acreage and the bodies to which they have been or are about to be transferred.
(3)Air Ministry: review of organisation.
(4) Board of Inland Revenue: review of organisation.
(5) Civil building work for the Service Departments: examination of division of work between the Ministry of Works and the works organisations of the three Service Departments.
As I told my hon. Friend on 13th July, 1948; if any important changes affecting the House or the public result from these or the other inquiries instituted by the Committee, they will be announced.