HC Deb 14 March 1907 vol 171 c223
MR. SAMUEL ROBERTS

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the reason for the reduction in this year's Estimates, Diplomatic and Consular Services, (Class 5, page 431) of the allowance for the collection of commercial intelligence from £1,000 to £700.

SIR EDWARD GREY

The provision under the sub-head for special services represents the cost of the Commercial Agents who were appointed experimentally—£700 is still provided for a Commercial Agent in the United States. The other temporary Agencies have been abolished. The Agent in Russia has been made a Commercial Attaché; the Agent in Switzerland now receives salary as a Vice-Consul; and an additional sum of £1,000 is included under Sub-head A for commercial work at Diplomatic Missions abroad. There is no decrease of the expenditure on commercial work, but a net increase of about £2,000.

MR. SAMUEL ROBERTS

But the Estimates show a decrease.

SIR EDWARD GREY

More is allowed under other heads. There is a net increase.