§ 19. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the annual cost of Lord Killearn's organisation in Malaya.
§ 30. Mr. Gammansasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the size of the European and Asiatic staff 504 working for Lord Killearn in Malaya; what is the annual estimated cost; and if any part of it falls on the exchequers of the Malayan Governments.
Mr. Noel-BakerLord Killearn has 101 Europeans and 103 Asiatics on his staff. The estimated annual cost is about £150,000, but this figure does not include the cost of board and lodging and transport, which is provided for most of the European staff at the expense of His Majesty's Government. I am inquiring about this cost, and will communicate with the hon. Members. No part of the expenditure falls on the Malayan Governments.
§ Mr. GammansHow long is this arrangement likely to continue, and will the right hon. Gentleman issue some sort of White Paper showing what are the functions of Lord Killearn, and what would justify this enormous number of staff?
Mr. Noel-BakerI think my right hon. Friend has explained the purpose of this organisation set up by my right hon. Friend under Lord Killearn, and in view of the really remarkable results which Lord Killearn has already obtained in increasing the supply of food in places where there was great danger of death by famine in the Far East, I think the result has fully justified his action.
§ Sir W. SmithersWhy should the whole of the very heavy expense of this extravagant establishment be borne by the British taxpayers?
Mr. Noel-BakerI think it was a contribution which we were able to make, and glad to make, towards the solution of an extremely difficult problem.