§ Sir C. COBBasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of officials at the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts, Cornwall House, Stamford Street, S.E.I; what the number was for the corresponding period of last year; and if the numbers and expenses can be reduced, in view of the fact that the cost of the Clearing Office falls upon British claimants and not upon the Treasury?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe staff employed at present by the Clearing Office (Enemy Debts), including the Departments for the administration of Austrian, Bulgarian and Hungarian property and the accredited representatives of those Departments in Berlin, Vienna and Budapest and their respective staffs, numbers 1,006. The number for the corresponding period of last year was 1,278. The staff and expenses of the office are constantly under review and further reductions in numbers and cost will be effected as and when circumstances permit.