§ 2. Colonel YATEasked whether all persons holding the rank of Consul-General and Consul shall in future be British-born subjects, and foreign-born Consular officials shall in future be restricted in number as far as possible, and strictly confined to unpaid officers of the rank of Vice-Consul and Consular Agent?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILForeign-born Consular officers are already restricted in number as far as possible. The other suggestion of my hon. and gallant Friend requires careful consideration and will be borne in mind.
§ Colonel YATEMay I ask whether Consuls-General and Consuls will be limited to British-born subjects?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILI should not like to make any statement on the point at the present time, but the question is being considered and the suggestion will be carefully borne in mind?
§ Mr. WINGMight not some use be made of a large class in the country, the commercial travellers, who are acquainted with the handling of business, as there is a general feeling among a large number of people that more use of commercial men could be made than is at present availed of for these public positions?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is not asking a question, but only giving his own opinion.
§ 3. Mr. JAMES MASONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the official list of Consular officers permitted to trade of 1st July, 1914, Mr. L. Bachmann is described as of German nationality; and, if so, will he say on what date he became a naturalised British subject of French origin, as officially stated?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILIn a list printed for departmental use Mr. Bachmann's nationality was erroneously stated to be German. He is of French origin and is now a naturalised British subject. The date of his certificate of British nationality is 25th February, 1904.