§ 8. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total cost to the taxpayer of the 223 Control Commission for Germany employees who were engaged, but did not take up their posts in Germany.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. John Hynd)The gross cost of these appointments, terminated as a result of reductions in the establishment of the Commission, was £8,702.
§ Sir W. SmithersCan the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster say who is responsible for this waste of the taxpayers' money, and whether disciplinary action will be taken against those responsible? Does he not realise that if someone got the sack for these misdemeanours, these things would not happen so often?
§ Mr. HyndI do not think it is correct to say that this is a result of misdemeanours. It has been a considerable task to set up the vast organisation necessary at the beginning of the occupation of Germany. It had to be done rapidly and involved many thousands of people being recruited at short notice. There were a number of factors which intervened, including the slower run-out of military Forces, the difficulty of finding accommodation suitable for the new personnel, and, subsequently, the very heavy cuts which were made in the establishment.
§ Mr. Wilson HarrisIs not this an example of the result of recruitment of officials by bulk purchase?