Crimea conference

Captain Alan Graham 
Is the hon. Member aware that the Polish troops in this country are more numerous than in the case of any other Ally, except the United States? What justification has he for alleging that they have a more expensive bureaucracy?
Mr. Driberg 
I am going to quote some of the figures of the money that has been advanced to the Polish Government in London by the British Treasury, at the expense of the British taxpayer, for bureaucratic and governmental purposes, quite apart from the maintenance of the 1342Polish Armed Forces. I do not think that the total figures have been published yet, but, for the four years 1941–44, we have advanced to the Polish Government well over £40,000,000. I understand that their demand from the British Treasury for this year is £15,000,000 further. I wonder whether it is going to be given to them, or whether it has already been given to them, and I wish the Foreign Secretary—
Captain Graham 
Does that include money for the pay of the Polish Armed Forces?
Mr. Driberg 
No, Sir, it does not. It excludes sums for the Armed Forces, and is advanced for the maintenance of the bureaucracy alone.
Major Sir Jocelyn Lucas (Portsmouth, South) 
Can the hon. Member tell us how that amount compares with what has been received by other Governments in this country?
Mr. Driberg 
I have not the figures with me, but I can get them for the hon. and gallant Gentleman. In most cases the figure is considerably less. Comparing, for instance, the number of people among other Allies who have been granted diplomatic privileges, which is perhaps a rough basis of comparison, as showing the number of persons employed by Ministries, we find that whereas Czechoslovakia has 71 persons with diplomatic privileges, and Greece 16, Poland has 124. Among those with diplomatic privileges, Belgium has two Army officers, Czechoslovakia eight, and Poland 11. In pretty well every case that one can check the Polish Government in London has a far more expensive bureaucracy than any of the other Allies in London.