58. Colonel NEWMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the 2021 International Reparations Commission is about to pay a visit to Berlin; if so, has it the power to take up with the Government of the German Republic the question of the staffs of the various Government Departments; is he aware that the number of hands employed in the German Post Office amounts to 410,000, a rise since before the War of 123,256, although the work of the Post Office is only half as great as before the War; and that paper money is continually being printed to pay the rising salaries of this and other Departmental staffs; will the British representative on the Commission press for the appointment of the equivalent of what is known as the Geddes Committee and the reappointment of a Minister of Economies; and, failing action to be taken to effect the necessary economies and retrenchment, what do the Allied Powers propose to do?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am not aware of any immediate intention on the part of the Reparation Commission to visit Berlin. The other matters raised in the hon. and gallant Member's question are for the consideration of the Commission.
Colonel NEWMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the last few days the salaries of officials in Germany have been raised by thirty billions of marks?
§ Sir R. HORNEI can quite well imagine that from the depreciation of the mark.
§ Lord R. CECILWhen the right hon. Gentleman speaks of the Reparation Commission, does he recollect that the British have a representative on it, and that the British Government are responsible to this House for what that representative does?
§ Sir R. HORNEThat is perfectly true, and I have no doubt he is communicated with from time to time. But that representative exercises certain judicial functions, with which one is not entitled to interfere.