HC Deb 02 June 1954 vol 528 cc1255-7
4. Captain Kerby

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what factors in the cost of living in France have caused him to agree that Her Majesty's Ambassador in Paris should continue to receive allowances of £22,390 per annum, in addition to his salary of £4,500; and whether he will reconsider the allowances of £29,185 per annum paid to Her Majesty's Ambassador in Washington.

Mr. Nutting

The allowances of Her Majesty's Ambassadors at Paris and Washington are not related precisely to cost-of-living factors, but are based on actual necessary expenditure as assessed by Foreign Service Inspectors. As compared with 1938, the cost of living measured in sterling at Paris has increased by 330 per cent., while the allowances have been increased by 77 per cent.; the cost of living at Washington has increased by 230 per cent. and the increase in the allowances has increased by 125 per cent.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not this a great deal of money to spend on entertaining? Cannot we economise a little? What are the Government going to do about this? Has this large amount of money to be spent all the time?

Mr. Nutting

I am delighted to have that belated confession of the right hon. Member who belonged to the Government which, where expenditure was concerned, were the most prodigal that this country has ever known. It may interest him to know that of these allowances, which may seem high, in Paris more than £19,000 is spent on the maintenance of the residence and on housekeeping as well as entertaining, and in Washington more than £27,000 is spent on those matters. If the right hon. Member will study the answer he will see that the allowances have not risen by anything like the rise in the cost of living in both capitals.

Mr. Shinwell

The hon. Gentleman may be sure that I will study any answer he cares to make to any question, but is not the £19,000 to which he referred as the cost of housekeeping and so on rather too high? Cannot those concerned live a little more modestly, as we have to do?

Captain Kerby

Whilst thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask if he appreciates that these expenses in the case of our Paris Embassy amount to £430 weekly, and in the case of the Washington Embassy to £561 weekly? Does he not consider that these sums are excessive for housekeeping?

Mr. Nutting

No, Sir, I do not consider that they are excessive. Her Majesty's Government believe that they should maintain certain standards both in Paris and in Washington, and for hon. and right hon. Members opposite to complain at this moment of all moments about increasing expenditure is a little warm.