§ 1. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the British Vice-Consul at Wilmington, United States of America, is still, as formerly, also the Imperial German Consul; if not, on what date he ceased to act in this dual capacity and by whom the arrangement was terminated; and why, if any, other British Vice-Consul now hold or have recently held Consular appointments from Germany or any other country?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord Robert Cecil)I understand that Mr. James Sprunt, British Vice-Consul at Wilmington, held a German Consular appointment from 1908 to 1911, when he resigned. The reasons for his resignation of this appointment are not known. Before the 31st of May, 1912, unpaid Consular officers were not debarred from accepting foreign Consular appointments, but on the above date instructions were issued to the effect that no British Consular officer would be permitted to accept a Consular appointment under a foreign Government without the express permission of the Secretary of State. Since the outbreak of War no British Consular officer may hold an appointment under an enemy Government.
§ Mr. PENNEFATHERIs the British Vice-Consul at Wilmington still the same person?
§ Lord ROBERT CECILYes, as far as I know he is.