101. Mr. I. O. Thomasasked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on the policy now being put into effect for the amalgamation of local fuel offices and the covering of the wider amalgamated area in each case by a single office.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksOriginally there wore about 1,600 local fuel overseers. In the interests of efficiency and economy in administration my right hon. Friend has been arranging for their work to be concentrated into larger areas and fewer offices where this could be done without undue inconvenience to the public. There are now about 950 local fuel overseers, and the savings effected since 1st May, 1953, have been at the rate of £220,000 per annum. The local authorities concerned have in general willingly co-operated, but in some cases my right hon. Friend has been obliged to secure the necessary amalgamation by a direction.