§ 12. Sir William Darlingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if leaflet, "You are Reminded," P.S.S. (H.Q.) 6616/50M./10–4, purporting to be issued by order of the Foreign Office, was issued by his authority; and why it is necessary to take a census of British personnel of C.C.G.
Mr. McNeilYes, Sir. The census was a routine check on the records of postings of staff, preparatory to the institution of a new and simpler recording system.
§ Sir W. DarlingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the idea has been created that his Department has lost a large number of its employees and is trying to check up upon them by this method?
Mr. McNeilI can understand the confusion in the thought of the hon. Member, but my fear is not that we might have lost personnel, but that we might have lost records.
§ 23. Sir S. Reedasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what use is being made of the retired Civil Service administrators released from India for duty with the Control Commission in Germany.
Mr. McNeilMy Department has sought, and continues to seek, candidates from among these officers whenever appropriate vacancies occur. The main flow of former Indian Civil Servants, however, became available only at a time when recruitment for the Control Commission had been greatly reduced.
§ Sir S. ReedWill the Minister recognise that these men, many of whom are in the prime of life with wide administrative experience and the traditions of a great Civil Service behind them, are specially qualified for work of this description?
Mr. McNeilI completely agree. We are aware of these people, and there is machinery for making available vacancies to appropriate people of that type.
§ Sir Arthur SalterWould the Minister consider whether he could not do rather more than wait until these vacancies occur? Does he not think it an admirable opportunity, which should not be lost, of strengthening the Control Commission from a Service with long and honourable traditions?
Mr. McNeilI think it is quite a point, but, as the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate, we are in the process of reduction just now.
§ Mr. ScollanWould the Minister take into consideration the fact that the training and the whole attitude of the civil servants in India now being displaced would be totally out of place in Europe?
Mr. McNeilI think I ought to take the opportunity of saying that, while I normally find myself in agreement with my hon. Friend, in this case I hardly think the facts would substantiate the charge.
§ 24. Mr. Douglas Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many new cars have been allocated to the Control Commission for Germany in the last six months; and what is the average cost per car.
Mr. McNeilTwo thousand and forty-eight cars have been supplied to the Control Commission during the six months ended 17th January, 1948. Of 185 these, 1,720 were German-produced Volkswagen, which were supplied as a charge against the German budget, and 328 British cars at an average cost of £422.
§ Mr. StokesIs the Minister satisfied that there are not sufficient supplies of the right type of car amongst the 70,000 wheeled vehicles in the various dumps?
Mr. McNeilI notice that my hon. Friend has been pursuing that subject with the appropriate Minister.
§ Mr. J. LewisAre these makes of cars to replace those now in use by the Commission and, if so, what happens to the second-hand cars?
Mr. McNeilThere is great difficulty in obtaining second - hand cars because replacements are very scarce indeed. British cars, I am assured, are only granted after the most rigorous scrutiny, but my noble Friend is engaged in looking further into this matter.
§ Mrs. MiddletonCan the Minister say how many cars have been lost to the Control Commission during the same period and not subsequently found?
§ Mr. J. LewisI think the Minister misunderstood my question. Is this new kind of car to replace the cars now being used by the Commission, and what has happened to the second-hand cars?