§ 9. Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent he has been able to implement the Government's policy of reducing expenditure in his Department; and whether he will give for January, 1951, and the latest convenient stated date the total number of staff employed in his Department and the total expenditure, respectively.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydOn 1st January, 1951, the total staff employed by the Foreign Office, excluding those locally-engaged abroad, numbered 11,549; and net Foreign Service and allied expenditure during the financial year 1950–51 was about £17,023,000. Corresponding figures for 1st April, 1956, and the financial year 1955–56 were 7,194 and £15,030,000.
The rate of reduction of staff and expenditure has decreased, because we are reaching the limit of economies and because salaries and other costs are rising. Nevertheless, economies are still being effected in accordance with the Government's policy; and the Estimates for the Foreign Service Vote for 1957–58, though slightly higher than the out-turn in the year 1955–56, show a reduction on the Estimates for 1956–57.
§ Mr. LewisI congratulate the Foreign Secretary on that excellent news. Will he have discussions with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War and with the other Service Departments, and give them advice as to how they too could achieve the admirable progress which he himself has made?
§ Mr. LloydI am not sure that my right hon. Friends need advice from me, any more than I need congratulations from the hon. Member.