§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the rule is still in force which obliges diplomatists to retire from the public service on attaining the age of 70; whether Sir Charles Wyke, as is reported, is about to be transferred from the post of Her Majesty's Representative at Copenhagen to that of Her Majesty's Representative at Lisbon; and, whether, before this transfer be made, he will insist upon the production of evidence to show that age entitles him to remain in the diplomatic service?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEWhen the regulation in question, which is still in force, was first made, the members of the Diplomatic Service were called upon to furnish a Report of their ages. Sir Charles Wyke, in reply, stated that he was born on September 2, 1815, and he is, consequently, now 65 years of age.