§ 55. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why he will not give authority to increase allowances for Service personnel serving in Greece, on account of the hardship caused because of the present rate of exchange between drachma and sterling and recognised by him in the recent increases granted to the staffs of the Embassy and the Economic Mission.
§ Mr. DaltonI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24th June by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.
§ Sir W. WakefieldIs not the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that, for some 18 months, representations have been made by the Service chiefs on the hardship caused to personnel serving in Greece on this account? Full details have been given showing it. Will not he reconsider this, as there is a feeling amongst Service personnel that there is an unfair discrimination taking place against them in this matter?
§ Mr. DaltonTo the best of my knowledge there is not any unfair discrimination—certainly, not in intention, and I do not think in fact. I am very glad that the number of Service personnel in Greece is now reduced to a relatively small number. But I think there has been some misunderstanding about this. The prime responsibility is, of course, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War, and it would not do for me to intervene too much in what is primarily his affair, but I can give the hon. Gentleman the assurance that I shall be very sympathetic to any reasonable claims. But, primarily, this is for the War Office.