§ SIR W. J. COLLINS (St. Pancras, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the medical officer to the British Embassy at Tokio is a British subject; and whether he is a legally qualified medical practitioner within the meaning of the Medical Acts.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)I understand that Dr. Wunsch, the medical officer referred to, who was appointed early in 1905 and still holds the post, is not a British subject. But before he was appointed endeavours were made by His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokio to secure the services of a suitable British subject, and none was available. As regards the second part of the Question, I must point out that Dr. Wunsch has very high qualifications, and as his practice is in Japan the special technical qualification referred to does not apply.
§ SIR W. J. COLLINSIs not the British Embassy at Tokio a public institution within the meaning of the Act, and is it not therefore contrary to law to appoint anyone else than a registered medical practitioner?
§ SIR EDAVARD GREYIf so, the Embassy would have had to go without a medical officer.
§ MR. SMEATON (Stirlingshire)Was the appointment advertised?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI cannot say.