§ 9. Mr. Arbuthnotasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of cars employed today on United Kingdom Government account in Paris and Washington; and the numbers in 1938.
§ Mr. NuttingThe number in Paris today is 41, and in Washington, 32. The corresponding figures in 1938 were one each.
The cars in Paris serve Her Majesty's Embassy, the Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation and the British Council. The cars in Washington serve Her Majesty's Embassy, the Joint Services Mission and the Treasury and Supply Delegation.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWill the Under-Secretary resist any attempt on the part of the "hatchet group" opposite to compel our representatives abroad to pay calls on push-bikes?
§ Mr. NuttingI think all sides of the House would agree that calls by such methods of transport would be beneath the dignity of representatives of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Sir H. WilliamsMay I ask my hon. Friend whether there are not taxis in these countries? Cannot our representative there do exactly the same as Members of Parliament do here?
§ Mr. NuttingMy hon. Friend will no doubt be glad to hear that the number of cars has been reduced since this Government came into office.