§ MR. CLAUDE HAY (Shoreditch, Hoxton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will explain the developments of the Consular 957 Service which involve an increase of £15,484 in the Estimate for that service.
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe total increase in salaries and allowances is £8,767. This is principally due to the creation of new Consular posts, the increased cost of living in all parts of the world, the rise in the value of the Mexican dollar in China, and the additional duties thrown upon Consular Officers, which involve the employment of more clerks in the various Consulates.