48. Lieut.-Colonel A. MURRAYasked the Prime Minister whether further consideration has now been given to the question of the abolition of the British Railway Mission in Roumania, and the consequent reduction of expenditure involved to the State in connection therewith; and whether such duties as the Mission is now called upon to perform could be efficiently discharged by His Majesty's Legation at Bucharest?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI am in communication with His Majesty's Minister at Bucharest and the Minister of Transport upon the matter. It is probable that the Mission will be abolished earlier than was contemplated. It would be quite impossible for the staff of His Majesty's Minister, which consists of one Third Secretary and one Archivist, to undertake the work, even if they had the technical knowledge.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYIs the hon. Gentleman aware that British residents in Roumania wonder what on earth this Mission has to do, and think it a waste of time and public money being there?