§ Mr. HOUSTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the interest taken by the German Government in all matters concerning shipping, commerce, and trade, and of the expansion in German shipping, commerce, and trade; if he can state whether German Ministers and Consuls abroad, in matters relating to shipping, commerce, and trade, communicate with or through their Foreign Secretary, or the Minister occupying a similar position to that of our President of the Board of Trade; and whether, in the interests of British shipping, commerce, and trade, he will consider the desirability of arranging that British Ministers and Consuls abroad shall communicate direct with the President of the Board of Trade instead of with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)There are already means of direct communication between the Board of Trade 1355 and British Consuls. It would take some time to read an answer describing the existing practice by which information is received and distributed, but if the hon. Member will put an unstarred question on the Paper, I will have a fuller answer given. I have no reason to believe that German Consuls give more assistance or information than British Consuls afford.