§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydfil)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can say what progress has been made by the Committee appointed to inquire whether reforms could be made in the manner of appointing Consuls, with a view to obtaining the services of men more familiar with commercial matters than many of our present Consuls are; and, if the Committee has reported, can he state the tenour of their Report; and whether any steps have been taken to give effect to their recommendations.
(Answered by Earl Percy.) The Report of the Committee recently appointed to inquire into the Constitution of the Consular Service has been laid before Parliament. The recommendations therein contained have been approved by the Secretary of State subject to slight modifications, and he is in communication with the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury with a view to giving effect to them as soon as possible.