§ 13. Sir J. LONSDALEasked how many persons now in the British Consular service are of alien birth; and if it is intended to institute a thorough reorganisation of the Consular service so that it may afford more efficient assistance to British trade after the War, and that none but British-born citizens may be employed as British Consuls?
§ Sir E. GREYSo far as I am aware every member of the salaried Consular service is a natural-born British subject. Of those Consular officers who receive no salary and are permitted to trade, and who have been selected for appointments from 2306 among resident merchants, a little less than two-fifths of the number are foreigners. The process of introducing improvements into the Consular service has been pursued for some years, and will continue after the War. The question of substituting British subjects for aliens in every place in the world where the presence of a Consular official is useful, but where a salaried officer is not employed, depends a great deal on the importance of the locality, the qualifications in individuals, and considerations of expense.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEWill the right hon. Gentleman give consideration to the general public wish that British subjects should be appointed as Consuls wherever possible?
§ Sir E. GREYYes: consideration is given to that wish, but every now and then there is some part of the world where the place is not of sufficient importance to justify the appointment of a salaried officer, and where no British subject is available, and in these cases the question is whether you will have some one who will act as Consular officer and have no salary, who is a foreigner, or whether you will not appoint anyone at all. That is really the sort of case that occurs.