§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE (Exeter)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any decision has been arrived at by Her Majesty's Government with respect to the increase in the number of British Commercial Attachés abroad.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordHer Majesty's Government, with a view to furthering British trading interests, have decided to appoint commercial agents in certain countries. Appointments will shortly be made in Russia, Switzerland, China and America. These agents will not have diplomatic rank, but will visit various commercial centres, and will be available for special consultation by British firms in respect of various, industries by payment of a moderate fee, such fees going to the Exchequer and not to the commercial agent, who will be paid by salary. The appointments will be made experimentally for two or three years.