§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department on how many occasions since it was decided to grant a special allowance of £100 to a principal officer in his Department for acting in the place of the Director of the Overseas Division has it been necessary for him so to act, for what periods and in what circumstances.
§ Mr. JohnstoneThe Director of the Overseas Division was away from this country from 26th October to 12th December, 1943, on an official visit to the Middle East, and during that time, as well as for short periods immediately before and after the tour, the Principal Officer referred to undertook the normal duties of the Director. The Director has not undertaken any further visits abroad up to the present, but he was absent on sick leave from 17th January to 19th February, 1944, and during that period also the duties of the Director were undertaken by the Principal Officer.