HC Deb 13 July 1949 vol 467 cc421-2
32. Sir Wavell Wakefield

asked the Postmaster-General how many people are employed by his Department on detailed calculations as to the amount of payment to be made to the nationalised air corporations for the carrying of airmail.

The Postmaster-General (Mr. Wilfred Paling)

Thirteen officers are employed wholly or partly on this work.

Sir W. Wakefield

Does not the Postmaster-General consider that this work is unnecessary, in view of the fact that if there were some simple basis of calculation no officers would be required at all. These officers could be used on more useful work, which would be one way in which unnecessary expenditure could be avoided?

Mr. Paling

I do not think the matter is quite as simple as that.

Mr. Mikardo

Does not my right hon. Friend know that the Opposition were demanding separate trading accounts for each division of the Overseas Airways Corporation, and can he tell the hon. Member opposite and the rest of us how they could possibly get that if the suggestion of the hon. Member were adopted?