HC Deb 06 May 1925 vol 183 cc917-8
16. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the total number of persons employed in the Russian Soviet Embassy in London and by the Russian trade delegation: and what are the total numbers of the staffs employed by the French, German, Italian and American diplomatic representatives?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Poplar on the 10th February and to the hon. Member for Holborn on the 2nd March. As regards the second part, if the clerical and domestic staffs are to be included as well as the diplomatic staff, the total numbers of persons attached to foreign missions and therefore officially notified to His Majesty's Government as being employed by the diplomatic representatives referred to are as follows: France, 36: Germany, 39; Italy, 28; United States of America, 64.

Sir W. DAVISON

Do those figures include female domestic servants? I intended my question to refer to those who were connected with the actual work of the Embassies.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I am afraid that I do not understand.

Sir W. DAVISON

I wish to know how many people are employed directly in connection with the work of the Embas- sies. I do not wish to know how many female servants there are at the various Embassies.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

What my hon. Friend asked was the number of persons employed. It is the custom of most of the Embassies to notify us of the whole of their staff, and I have given the figures for the whole of their staff.