§ Sir I. Alberyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps have been taken to reduce the personnel of British Commissions at present in the United States of America; what were the numbers so employed at the end of September last and at the latest available date?
§ Sir K. WoodMy right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary is at present in the United States reviewing the organisation and staffing of all the war-time missions, Service as well as civilian. The total staff of the missions at the end of September was about 8,000, of whom more than three-quarters have been locally recruited. The latest available figures, which relate to the end of November, show an increase of some 500.