asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, when it will be possible to discontinue the few remaining functions of that Department.

The Ministry of Materials is carrying out no unnecessary functions and apart from stock disposal, there will remain certain functions which must be carried out either in the Ministry or in another Department. This is a matter which is under consideration, but I am not in a position to make any statement.

Could not savings be effected similar to those in a recent merger with which my right hon. Friend had to do? Had not his Department better get on with the job?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the last sentence of the reply which I have just given.