§ 7. Mr. FELLasked if it is proposed to increase the Consular service in Ecuador, Peru, and Chile, and other ports which are likely to have a great increase of business on the opening of the Panama Canal?
§ Sir E. GREYShould the interest of British trade require it, the question of strengthening British Consular representation in these countries will be carefully considered.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSDoes not the right hon. Baronet think that if the 1347 Consular service in the Putumayo district of Peru had been stronger much of these atrocities might have been avoided?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Putumayo district is a very remote district, and since the atrocities took place we have strengthened the Consular representation. I am constantly having demands to increase the Consular representation for commercial purposes, and it is exceedingly difficult to combine with an increase of Consular representation in other districts where they are not primarily needed for commercial purposes simply because one fears that undesirable things may be going on there.
§ 8. Mr. FELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he proposes to appoint more Consuls at the great cities along the Siberian Railway, where business with Great Britain is increasing rapidly?
§ Sir E. GREYCertain proposals for more Consular posts in Russia, including Siberia, are now under consideration.
§ Sir E. GREYI am not quite sure how long they have been under consideration. At the present moment we have put before the Treasury a scheme for improving the conditions of the consular service, and I expect a reply on that very soon, and then we shall be able, no doubt, to make further progress.