HC Deb 26 February 1947 vol 433 cc2055-7
26. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he intends to take to house members of the British Embassy staff when the Hotel Chatham and other Paris centres are

Majesty's Government through the Foreign Office.

Mr. Noel-Baker

My hon. Friend says that the work of the Mission is advisory. Has he any evidence to show that the Greek Government are accepting the advice given? Am I to understand it is on the advice of the Government that Greece is squandering her economic resources on a totally inadequate and unplanned programme of recovery?

Mr. Mayhew

The work done by the Mission in that regard would, I think, form the subject of another Question, but I reiterate that the functions of the Mission are definitely advisory.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is there any evidence of the advice being accepted by the Greek Government?

Mr. Mayhew

Yes, Sir, the advice is often effective.

Following is the chart:

handed back to their owners or closed down; if he will increase allowances accordingly; and by how much.

Mr. Mayhew

When the hotels close down the staff will be responsible for their own accommodation, but two officers have been temporarily assigned to assist the staff to find quarters. Allowances will be granted to cover the extra expenditure incurred by the staff, and will range provisionally between £250 a year and £500 a year according to grade and whether an officer is married or single. These allowances will be reviewed as soon as experience has been gained.