§ 27. Mr. Rankinasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, during his recent visit, was able to negotiate with the German Government an agreement under which they will pay their nationals who work for the British Forces.
§ 29. Mr. Liptonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent visit to Bonn of the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydNegotiations are still continuing and I would prefer to defer comment until they have been concluded.
§ Mr. RankinIn view of the fact that £5,600,000 is provided in the current Army Estimates for this kind of civilian service in Germany, may I ask whether the Chancellor can say that the negotiations will be comprehended within that sum or whether even more than that sum of money is being spent on civilian work in Germany in relation to the Army? Does not the Chancellor think it absurd that we should be spending millions of pounds to maintain employment in Germany when we still have 60,000 unemployed in Scotland?
§ Mr. LloydYes, but the cost in Germany is very much more than what the hon. Member has said. It is one of the factors very much taken into account in the discussions.
§ Mr. LiptonWhy not tell the German Government that if they want British Forces to stay there they must pay the cost or alternatively let us pack up and go? Since almost every Minister of importance has now been to Bonn on one of these cadging expeditions without securing any material result, is the Chancellor not considering sending a delegation of Tory back-benchers who might be able to grovel with much better success?
§ Mr. LloydThese negotiations are still continuing and it is much better not to make unhelpful comments.