§ MR. MALCOLM (Suffolk, Stow-market)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that considerable extra work is thrown upon Her Majesty's Consuls in Spain, and in several cases heavy expenditure is thrown upon them, owing to the duties incurred by acting, in a consular capacity for the United States: and. whether he can state for how long these duties will be performed by Her Majesty's officers, and in what winner they will be remunerated and reimbursed.
§ THE UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordHer Majesty's Government are aware that a considerable 1024 amount of extra work is thrown upon Her Majesty's Consuls in Spain since they have had charge of American interests, but no information has been received that these additional duties have involved expenditure. Her Majesty's Government undertook the protection of American interests in Spain at the commencement of the war, and this arrangement will continue so long as it may be convenient to the United States Government. It is usual for belligerents to place their interests in a hostile country in the hands of a friendly power, and in such cases no question of remuneration arises.