asked the Minister of Food how many of his Department's staff have been given notice of discharge since 1st November, 1951; what further reductions are contemplated; and what particular activities are being abandoned or curtailed.

The staff of the Ministry of Food has been reduced by 180 between 1st November, 1951, and 1st February, 1952, mostly through retirement, resignation and transfer of staff which have not been replaced. Some members of the staff have received notices of discharge.It is estimated that some 300 staff will be saved by the abandonment of food advice work, the curtailment of public relations activities, and the elimination of other minor functions. Notices of discharge have not yet been issued although some of the officers concerned have had preliminary warning.The decision to end National Registration should result in a saving of some 1,500 staff in local food offices, spread over the next three months.