HC Deb 04 November 1946 vol 428 cc1047-8
48. Major Bramall

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many British civilian drivers and mess stewards are employed by the Control Commission for Germany; what rates they are paid; what is the total cost per year of employing them; and why it is considered necessary to have British personnel to perform these duties.

Mr. J. Hynd

There are 1,636 drivers, all men, and 530 mess stewards, 265 of whom are women. The men are paid about the same rate for both jobs, namely, £6 l0s. a week, plus allowances amounting to £ 7s. a week for married men or £1l0s. a week for single men; the women get £5l0s. a week plus £10s. in allowances. The total cost is about £980,000 a year. German drivers are employed where practicable, but for security reasons a reliable nucleus of British drivers is necessary for the conveyance of senior officers, and the transport of food and equipment. The mess stewards are required for the supervision of German mess servants and to look after the mess rations.

Major Bramall

Is my hon. Friend aware that six months ago all messes were run satisfactorily by German stewards, and that this is an unnecessary extra charge?

Mr. Hynd

I am not aware of the position referred to in the first part of the question, but all messes have to be supervised by British personnel while the present food shortage exists.

Mr. Stokes

Is it not a fact that the efficiency of a large number of the Control Commission is impaired by the fact that these drivers neither speak the language nor know the way?

Mr. Scollan

If we are to have all these people employed there in the fashion that has been explained and are to pay all this money to keep them there, is it not useless for the Government repeatedly to tell us about the shortage of labour here?

Major Bramall

In view of the fact that my hon. Friend said that he was not aware of the facts stated in the first part of my supplementary question, will he look at the facts again when, I think, he will discover that, in regional headquarters, at any rate, all messes were run by Germans six months ago?

Mr. Hynd

Now the supplementary question confines itself to certain quarters. I am aware that six months ago British supervisory staffs were employed in messes, and in present conditions it is highly desirable, in view of the cost, that British personnel should still be in a supervisory capacity where food and other things are concerned.

52. Mr. Nigel Birch

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many persons of British nationality are employed in the political division of the Control Commission for Germany.

Mr. J. Hynd

There are 95 persons employed in the division.