HC Deb 15 May 1950 vol 475 cc863-4
68. Mr. Erroll

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the duties and salary of the Labour Counsellor at Cairo.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The duties of Labour Attachés at His Majesty's Missions abroad were described in the reply given by my predecessor to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. F. Willey) on 7th July, 1947. I am sending a copy of that reply to the hon. Member. Mr. M. T. Audsley, the Labour Attaché on the staff of His Majesty's Ambassador in Cairo, is also Labour Adviser to the British Middle East Office. In this capacity his services are available on request to the Governments of all countries in the area covered by the British Middle East Office. His salary is £1,340 per annum, plus foreign allowances.

Mr. Erroll

At a time like this, is it really necessary for us to give free advice to Middle East countries on the organisation of trade unions?

Mr. Davies

Certainly. Our great endeavour is to improve the standard of living in the Middle East, and we think this is a contribution to that end.