§ 54. Mr. Burdenasked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, what materials are now being controlled by the 924 officials in the Ministry of Materials.
Mr. Amory:The Ministry of Materials (apart from its responsibility for strategic reserves) has to dispose of surplus stocks left over from the war and the subsequent 51W period of shortages, worth about £50 million. The orderly disposal of these stocks and the safeguarding of the public money which they represent is of major importance. The statutory control of internal distribution or use of materials, one of its other functions, represents only a small part of the work of the Department. It is now confined to paper, paper-making materials, manilla hemp, jute and jute goods. The Ministry's staff now numbers 853.