§ 65. Sir W. Smithersasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken during 1952, and what steps he will take in 1953, in order substantially to reduce the costs of his Department; and if he will take steps to stop all trading activities.
27W
§ Mr. H. StraussAll practicable steps to reduce the costs of the Department have been and will be taken. For example, Utility schemes have been abolished, price controls reduced, census of distribution work deferred and many administrative economies effected. Notwithstanding extra work which has had to be undertaken, we expect a staff saving of about 1,000 out of 8,300 in the current year.
The Board of Trade are not now engaged in any trading activities.