§ 98. Sir CYRIL COBBasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to reduce the expenses falling upon British creditors, he will reduce, as from 2nd August next, the staff of the British Clearing House for Enemy Debts, Cornwall House, by 10 per cent. and again by 10 per cent. in November next, or, failing this, will he appoint a Committee from the Establishment Department of the Treasury to examine the staffing and methods at Cornwall House?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Viscount Wolmer)I doubt whether the first proposal of my hon. Friend would have the effect desired. He will no doubt realise 470 that the Clearing Office have a definite task to accomplish, and that the most economical course is to get through that task as promptly as possible, rather than to prolong it by undue depletions of staff. As to the second proposal, the staffing and organisation of the Clearing Office are already constantly under review by the Establishment Departments of the Treasury and the Board of Trade.