§ GENERAL GOLDSWORTHY(for Mr. KIMBER) (Wandsworth)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any, and what, representations have been made by the British Vice Consul at Cuidad Bolivar, Venezuela, in reference to the treatment of British interests in Venezuela; whether it is the fact that he has obtained in reply no effectual assistance in his efforts to protect British interests; whether there is a very large community of Englishmen and English Negroes living in the mining district of Venezuela, from which the nearest English Consular authority is at Cuidad Bolivar, some 250 miles distant by road and river; and, whether, in view of the Dumber of English Commercial Companies employing a very large amount of British, capital and British labour, he 248 will consider the desirability of appointing a Consular Officer in that district?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. BRYCE) (Aberdeen, S.)No representations have been made by the British Vice Consul at Cuidad Bolivar in the sense indicated by the hon. Member. We have reason to believe that a considerable number of British subjects are employed in the mining districts of Venezuela referred to; and Her Majesty's Government have, consequently, already decided to appoint a Consular Agent there.