Catalogue description Board of Trade: Post-War Commodity Policy and Relief Department: Files

In February 1941, as a result of a decision by the War Cabinet's Ministerial Sub-Committee on Export Surpluses, the Ministry of Economic Warfare set up an Export Surpluses Department under its Director-General, responsible to the Minister without Portfolio, who was in charge of all post-war reconstruction matters.

In March, 1942, responsibility for the work on Export Surpluses and Allied Relief was transfered from the Minister without Portfolio to the President of the Board of Trade and the name of the Department changed from 'Surpluses' to 'Post-War Commodity Policy and Relief'. Its functions were defined as 'to keep in review the world commodity position, with special reference to post-war aspects; to devise measures for dealing with commodity surpluses (whether by purchase or otherwise) and for the orderly disposal of any stocks arising from such purchases; to co-ordinate action in regard to schemes for the regulation of production and marketing of foodstuffs and other primary commodities which have been, or are likely to be, in surplus supply; and to formulate plans for organising Post-war Relief and the distribution of available supplies to Europe, in conjunction with the Inter-Allied Committee and Bureau'. The Inter-Departmental Committee of Officials remained in being and reported to the President of the Board of Trade and through him to the Ministerial Committee on Reconstruction Problems.

In November, 1943, by Cabinet decision, the Department was dissolved, the Relief Section being transferred to the Foreign Office; the Board of Trade (Commercial Relations and Treaties Department) and the Treasury became responsible for co-ordinating Commodity Policy work on the commercial and financial sides respectively, while the responsibility for individual commodities was given to Supply Departments, e.g. the Ministries of Food and Supply.