§ 14. Sir W. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present numbers and cost of Lord Killearn's establishment in Malaya; and if he will give an account of what action has been taken since last July.
§ Mr. MayhewThe figures which my right hon. Friend gave in reply to the hon. Member on 29th July, although based on information available here, were, I regret to say, incomplete. The staff numbered at the beginning of August some 350 persons, excluding a considerable number of drivers and maintenance staff. The latest figures show that the staff today numbers 582, of whom some 250 are maintenance staff. The total annual cost of the Mission is estimated at £326,500. This covers salaries, the broadcasting unit, telegrams, transport and housing, but excludes office rent.