§ MR. TOMLINSON (Preston)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, with reference to the statement that the hon. Member for Caithness is the Consul General for the Transvaal Republic, Whether it is competent for the authorized and paid Agent of a Foreign State to sit and vote as a Member of this House?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)I am informed that there is no Statute or Rule of the House which disqualifies Members from sitting in this House by reason of their being the authorized, or even the paid Agents of Foreign States. I admit that such a position would be somewhat incongruous; but I am informed by the hon. Member for Caithness (Dr. Clark) himself that his position as Consul General is purely honorary, and that he receives no pay whatever. Under these circumstances, I think there is nothing that calls for the attention of the House.