§ 11. Sir Wavell Wakefieldasked the Secretary of State for Air if he has consulted with the War Office and the Admiralty on the hardships caused to air personnel due to inadequate allowances because of the present rate of exchange between drachma and sterling; and with what result.
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Philip Noel-Baker)The allowances given to members of the Armed Forces stationed in Greece were last reviewed in December, 1946; since then, the Air Ministry have received no representations on the matter. The Service Departments are now awaiting a report from the Commanders-in-Chief in the Middle East, and the rates will be reviewed again when it has been received.
§ Sir W. WakefieldWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that immediately these representations are received they will be quickly reviewed, so that further delay and hardship will not occur?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI will certainly give that assurance, and I hope that the hon. Member will help me to dispel the misapprehension in Greece that there has been a long delay and injustice as between the Services, the Embassy, and the Economic Mission. There has been no such thing.
§ Sir W. WakefieldIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a feeling that there has been long delay, that misapprehension exists in Greece, and that the best way to remove it is to deal with this matter quickly?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir, and I am asking the hon. Gentleman to help me to remove that misapprehension. There has been no discrimination in favour of the Embassy and the Economic Mission, and there has not been a long delay.