§ 44. Mr. Dayasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give particulars of the number of staff, if any, still employed in the clearing house for
§ bassy in Berlin informs me that it is not possible for him to obtain figures for the years 1935 and 1936 comparable with those published on page 241 of his last report on Economic Conditions in Germany, to which I assume the hon. Member refers. He has, however, sent me a more recent set of figures for the years 1934, 1935 and 1936. They are taken from a semi-official German publication, and I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following are the figures:
§ enemy debts; what sum, if any, is paid yearly to the Office of Works by that Department for accommodation?
§ Dr. BurginNo staff is now employed in the Clearing Office on work relating to enemy debts. Nine persons are, however, 1415 fully employed in Board of Trade headquarters offices on work relating to ex-enemy property, and a further six persons are partly so employed. Their work consists chiefly in completing the release to former owners of unliquidated property, and in the conduct of legal proceedings and claims brought against the administrator. The annual rental payable to the Office of Works for the accommodation of this staff and the voluminous records of the Clearing Office is at present £1,923.
§ Mr. DayCan the hon. Gentleman say whether surplus office accommodation is handed over to the Office of Works?
§ Dr. BurginNot without notice.