§ Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of clerical persons of all grades employed at the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts at Cornwall House as at 15th July, 1929, and 15th January, 1930?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe total number of the staff of all grades employed at the Clearing Office (Enemy Debts), Cornwall House, on 15th July last was 466, and on 15th January, 1930, 400.
§ Mr. MELLERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will, in view of the fact that, private creditors of the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts themselves repay to the Office of Works the cost of the office accommodation at Cornwall House, consider the advisability of removing the now diminishing staff to smaller offices in a less expensive district?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe fees paid by persons receiving payment from the Clearing Office are in no way affected by the amount of rent paid by the Office. On account of its duties it is necessary that the Clearing Office should be centrally situated. Cornwall House possesses advantages for periodical adjustments of the rent paid to the space occupied, which would not be easily obtainable elsewhere, and I am satisfied that a removal at this stage would seriously interfere with the work and would not be justified.