§ 5. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Secretary of State for War how long his Department has been considering the question of the pay and allowances payable to warrant officers serving with His Majesty's Embassy in Cairo; how many other capitals are under similar consideration; and when he expects to come to a decision.
§ Mr. M. StewartThe detailed review of the allowances payable to the warrant officer serving with His Majesty's Embassy, and other comparable Service personnel serving in Cairo, began when the information on which to base such a review became available to the Departments concerned, in February, 1950. It is hoped that a decision will be reached this week. The allowances at one other capital are under consideration.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the hon. Gentleman say what is the difficulty which causes his Department to spend three months in assessing the allowances payable to warrant officers in two capitals? Is not the hon. Gentleman's answer this afternoon a complete contradiction of his right hon. Friend's answer on the same point last week?
§ Mr. StewartThe hon. Member will realise that it is not these two capitals only which are concerned. When a decision of this kind is made, these allowances have to be kept in step with other comparable allowances elsewhere. These matters are always somewhat complicated. The hon. Member will see that a decision is to be reached this week. I cannot see that there is any contradiction between what I have said and what my right hon. Friend said.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDid not the Under-Secretary's right hon. Friend say last week that it had not taken three months to come to a decision, which is completely contrary to the hon. Gentleman's admission today?