HC Deb 05 March 1952 vol 497 cc406-7
14. Sir Edward Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the total sum spent on the pay, allowances and accommodation abroad of British naval, military, air and civil aviation attaches and their staffs and the total number employed; the corresponding figures before the war; and by how much per cent. the totals of expenditure and employment have risen since before the war.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL.REPORT.

Sir E. Keeling

Can the Minister of State confirm the statement made to me by the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the Government are considering the possibility of reducing the number of Service attachés?

Mr. Lloyd

Yes, Sir.

Captain Robert Ryder

Will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that, in this respect, the Admiralty are far more economical than are the other two Services?

Following is the reply:

STATEMENT SHOWING NUMBERS OF SERVICE AND CIVIL AVIATION ATTACHES AND STAFFS AT H.M. MISSIONS ABROAD, AND EXPENDITURE ON PAY, ALLOWANCES AND ACCOMMODATION
—> Number of Personnel Approximate expenditure on pay, allowances and accommodation
Pre-war (Estimates for 1938–39) Current (1951–52) Per cent. Increase Pre-war (Estimates for 1938–39) Current (1951–52) Per cent. Increase
£ £
Naval Attachés and Staff 26 80 208 36,000 181,000 403
Military Attachés and Staff 54 185 243 55,000 414,000 653
Air Attachés and Staff 44 91 107 41,500 301,015 625
Civil Aviation Attachés and Staff Nil 42 — Nil 68,951 —
TOTAL 124 398 221 £132,500 £964,966 628
NOTES.—(1) Figures of expenditure for 1951–52 are based on current actual expenditure.
(2) Official expenditure on domestic accommodation, rent allowances, etc., where applicable, is included.
(3) Cost of office accommodation is not included. Attachés' offices are normally situated on the Mission premises, and separate figures are not available.