§ 33. Captain PETER MACDONALDasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of persons employed, directly or indirectly, as at 1st December, 1929, by the Clearing Office of Enemy Debts, and the approximate expenditure in relation to salaries, wages, rent, and various other expenditures necessary for carrying on the Clearing Office of Enemy Debts at its branches in England and abroad; and will he state to what extent, if it is not the whole, the expenditure incurred is defrayed by a percentage deducted on the amounts distributed by way of dividends on accepted proved claims of British nationals?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMOn 1st December, the staff of the Clearing Office (Enemy Debts) at home and abroad comprised 388 men and 25 women. The estimated cost of the office for salaries and other expenses for the current financial year is£133,385, for details of which I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the printed Estimates. The whole cost of the Department has been more than covered by commissions charged on payments of admitted claims and on the proceeds of ex-enemy property realised.