asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the number of persons employed by the British Control Commission in Germany now and a year ago, respectively.

The numbers are 12,505 civilians and 188 military personnel at 31st March, 1949, and 17,135 civilians and 519 military personnel at 31st March, 1948.

Can the Under-Secretary say what the figures will be in a few months' time; what reduction will take place?

Further reductions are expected, but I cannot give the figures offhand.