asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the total cost in salaries of £250 per annum and above of the divisional food organisation, including the organisations for London and the home counties; and when he anticipates he will be in a position to make his contemplated review of these appointments?

The answer to the first part of the question is £93,850. This figure, which relates only to Great Britain, excludes the salaries of 31 chief clerks and accountants serving in divisional food offices who have been seconded from other Government Departments by whom their salaries will continue to be paid. It also excludes the salaries of nine civil servants on the staff of the Chief Divisional Food Office for Scotland who have been similarly seconded. I do not propose to undertake a general review of these appointments at present since it would be undesirable to make avoidable changes in this stage of food control.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any undertaking as to when this review will take place, particularly having regard to the advanced age of a considerable number of the heads of the divisional organisation?

I can assure the hon. Member that this matter will be kept under constant review with a view to ensuring officiency, but I hope the hon. Member will appreciate my desire to avoid making changes at this particular moment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some immediate guidance to the local authorities as to the attitude of the Ministry towards the suggestion that many of these appointments should be given to public servants at part salaries—additional payment to what they are having at the present time?

I will consider what the hon. Member has said.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think this is a somewhat heavy price to pay for the reduction in the quantity of our butter and the increase in the price of our margarine?

Everything is under review.