§ 42. Mr. ALBERYasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the number of officials employed by the British Government in Russia for purposes connected with trade and commerce; and the number of officials employed by the Soviet Government in Great Britain for purposes connected with trade and commerce?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The number of officials employed by His Majesty's Government in Russia for purposes connected with trade and commerce is six. The number of officials employed by the Soviet Government in this country for similar purposes is, so far as I have been informed, 20.
§ Mr. ALBERYIs the considerably larger number employed by the Soviet Government here due to the shorter working hours of that country?
§ Mr. GILLETTI can imagine that it is due to the fact that the Soviet Government have a trading organisation for this special purpose.
§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHWhere did the lion. Gentleman get the information that Russia employed 20 officials here?
§ Mr. GILLETTIt was supplied by my Department.