§ 22. .Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of officials employed by the British on the Rhineland Commission; and if all the employed are British subjects?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)The number of officials employed in the British Department of the Rhineland High Commission is 48; all are British subjects.
§ 23. Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate cost of the Rhineland Commission per month; and if the cost has been reduced during the last year?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe approximate cost of the British Department of the Rhineland High Commission for the current financial year is estimated at £3,750 a month or £45,000 per annum. The rate of expenditure during the year 1926–27 was approximately the same, but this represented a reduction of about £20,000 per annum as compared with the year 1925–26.
§ Sir F. WISEIs this payment made by reparations from Germany?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONYes, it is.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not the fact that in any case it comes out of our pockets, and would it not be possible to effect a little economy by closing down that Department?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI am answering this question on behalf of the Treasury. I think any further questions had better be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.