§ 9. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reductions are contemplated in the allowances, salaries and pensions of the senior members of the diplomatic service, and particularly in the expenses of His Majesty's Embassies and Legations paid for out of taxes, in view of the financial situation?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Captain Eden)The salaries of His Majesty's Ambassadors and Ministers will be subjected to the abatement of 10 per cent. applicable to all Crown servants in receipt of corresponding salaries. No reduction in the pensions of these officers is contemplated. Reductions in representation allowances are now under consideration. A special review of other expenses of maintaining His Majesty's Embassies and Legations is also being 7 made, with a view to effecting all possible economies.
§ 10. Mr. MUGGERIDGEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the financial situation, it is proposed to cut down the expenditure on foreign Embassies and Consular services throughout the world; and what contribution towards balancing the Budget such cuts will yield?
§ Captain EDENThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is not yet possible to state the amount by which the total expenditure will be reduced.
§ Mr. MUGGERIDGEWould it not be a very substantial economy to withdraw some of these Embassies, which are very expensive, and to go to the League of Nations?