§ 5. Sir W. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British personnel, in convenient categories, are employed in the British zone in Germany.
§ Mr. MayhewEighteen thousand six hundred and eighty-five British subjects were employed by the Control Commission in the British zone of Germany on 1st November, 1947. In addition, 496 were employed in the United States zone, and elsewhere, on the work of the Commission. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the breakdown of these figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs it not obvious that the number is far too great for the work they do, and would it not be better to send some of them home to do productive work in this country?
§ Mr. MayhewYes, Sir, it is a large number. We have reduced it considerably in the last month or so, and have a considerable programme of reductions in sight.
§ Mr. ScollanAre not the Americans getting just as good results with 496 as we are with 18,000?
§ Mr. MayhewThe noble Lord the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is investigating the whole question of the size, organisation and functions of the Control Commission.
§ Mr. ShepherdThe Minister says that there is a considerable programme of reduction in hand. Will he tell us the ultimate reduction to be aimed at in the present programme?
§ Mr. MayhewThat is one of the things which is being considered by the noble Lord.
§ Following are the figures:
| —— | Civilian. | Service. | Total. |
| 1st November, 1947: | |||
| Senior Officers | 476 | 68 | 544 |
| Other Officers | 7,232 | 325 | 7,557 |
| Clerks, etc. | 10, 367 | 713 | 11,080 |
| Total | 18,075 | 1,106 | 19,181 |