§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydfil)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will say what are the general principles of political economy applicable to commerce recommended by the Committee recently appointed to inquire into the constitution of the Consular service as a compulsory subject of examination for those desiring to enter the service, and approved by the Secretary of State.
§ EARL PERCYI am not aware that the Committee attempted any definition of the general principles of political economy. The course of study to be prescribed for the examination has not yet been finally decided, but there appears to be no reason why it should exclude as inapplicable to commerce any of the general principles of economic science.