HC Deb 27 March 1950 vol 473 cc66-7

Resolution reported: That a sum, not exceeding £5,880,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the expense of civilians employed on fleet services, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1951.

Resolution read a Second time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

4.41 p.m.

Commander Galbraith

There is one question I should like to ask about what appears on page 40. There is a reference to allowances made for the Admiralty civilian shore wireless service both at home and abroad. There is an increase of some 60 persons in the home service and a reduction of 45 in the foreign service. That just about evens out the amount of money compared with what was spent last year. How has it happened that there is an increase in the home service and a considerable decrease abroad? I should have thought that the opposite might have been the case.

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Walter Edwards)

I am sorry that I have not the answer with me at the moment, but I will certainly go into the question and let the hon. and gallant Gentleman have a reply. I am certain that there is a suitable reply. Obviously, these matters are gone into. Sometimes it is essential for the number of people on this work in this country to be increased and for those abroad to be decreased, because of the closing down of some establishment or a change-over in functions. This alteration may be because of the wireless functions abroad being shared between us and the Army and the Air Force. That is something which we are trying to bring about as much as we can.

Commander Galbraith

I hope that it is not accounted for by a mere transfer from abroad to home service.

Mr. Edwards

No.

Commander Galbraith

The figures are very much the same. One is up by £32,600 and the other is down by £31,800.

Mr. Edwards

I very much doubt whether it is due to that.

Question, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution," put, and agreed to.

Resolution reported: