HC Deb 12 November 1906 vol 164 c1019
MR. YOXALL (Nottingham, W.)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can arrange that the eight vice-consuls recently appointed as the result of an examination may, during the period prior to their going abroad on service, be enabled to visit some of the principal commercial and manufacturing centres in the United Kingdom, and particularly those centres most connected by trade with the consular posts to which the said vice-consuls are to be sent, and also those centres engaged in branches of commerce with which the vice consuls -severally are least acquainted.

(Answered by Secretary Sir Edward Grey.,) All the vice-consuls, before proceeding to their posts, work at the Board of Trade, and I will consult that Department as to how far the hon. Member's suggestions are or can be adopted.