HC Deb 18 April 1944 vol 399 cc5-6
6. Major Procter

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department was consulted before it was decided to grant an outfit allowance of £500 to the present Director of the Overseas Division of the Department of Overseas Trade on his transfer to this country from New York last year; and what number of additional clothing coupons his Department agreed to allow to enable this money to be expended.

Mr. Dalton

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir," and to the second part "None."

Mr. Shinwell

Are we to understand that the point raised in the Question about a £500 allowance is correct, although the right hon. Gentleman was not consulted about it?

Mr. Dalton

My hon. Friend can understand the very simple answer I have given to the Question. If I am desired to elaborate it, I would say that I have inquired into the matter. The officer concerned is a member of the Foreign Service. The arrangements to which reference is made in the Question were arrangements between the Foreign Office and the Treasury, and I am advised that the term "outfit allowance" is quite misleading, and that it might really more properly be called a "transfer allowance," which is normally paid under regulations not within the control of my Department. But, in my view, it is perfectly proper and saris-factory to compensate consular officials and others who frequently have to move, with their families, from one part of the world back to this country, or to another part of the world.

Major Procter

I asked whether this was an outfit allowance of £500. I understood that it was an outfit allowance, and, if it was an outfit allowance, how could he spend that sum of money without coupons?

Mr. Dalton

He could, if he did not spend it on clothing.

Mr. Shinwell

Is this Department, in-chiding the Minister, worth £500 altogether?