§ MR. HAROLD COXI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the services of British Consuls, stationed in foreign countries, are at the disposal of the Colonial subjects of His Majesty; and whether any offer has at any time been made by the Colonies to contribute to the cost of this consular service.
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative, but my right hon. friend would remind the hon. Member that for many such services fees are levied in accordance with the provisions of an Order in Council. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative, but in some eases, where a particular Colony has had special interests, the Government of that Colony have offered to defray or share the cost of maintaining a Consulate.