§ 14. Mr. William Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the pay and allowances of clerks and typists in the British Embassy in Paris and the Consulates in France in August, 1939, and at 1st December, 1945.
§ Mr. BevinAs the answer contains a series of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the Official Report.
§ Following is the answer:
1133§ 15 Mr. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how long the consul and two vice-consuls at Bordeaux, the vice-consul at Toulouse and vice-consul in Paris, who have not yet had their pay and allowances agreed, have been stationed in these posts; what are the reasons for the non-agreement of the allowances; and whether he will give an assurance that the gentlemen in question will suffer no financial loss by this delay and that they are in no way being held up in the efficient carrying out of their duties by the uncertainty as to what their allowances will ultimately be.
§ Mr. BevinThe officers in question have been at their posts since November, 1944, May, 1945, March, 1945, and September, 1944. The delay in fixing allowances was due to the difficulties resulting from variations in prices and living conditions in France. The officers concerned will not suffer financial loss as the result of the, delay and I am satisfied that their efficient performance of their duties has not been affected.
§ Mr. TeelingMay I point out to the right hon. Gentleman that there are many other Consulates in France where, evidently, everything is all right? Could he hurry the matter up, because I know there is a certain amount of unhappiness about it?