§ 8. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the total annual cost in 1913 of the Consular services in the United States and in Spain; and what percentage that cost bore in each case to the value of our exports in that year to each of those countries?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord R. Cecil)The amounts expended on the Consular service in the United States and Spain respectively in 1913 were £33,527 and £7,626—that is, about .05 per cent. of the value of our exports to the United States of America and .07 per cent., of our exports to Spain.
§ 9. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked if the work and responsibilities of Consular officers in certain neutral countries have been increased since the War began; if so, whether our Consular services in such countries have been strengthened numerically and better remunerated; and if the services of all Consular officers who were formerly employed in enemy countries are now being fully utilised?
§ Lord R. CECILThe answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative. The staff in neutral countries has been generally increased, and in some of them very largely. Extra remuneration is not given to members of the salaried Consular service for increased work in the present crisis, but is given to some Consular officers who are not in the regular service.
§ Lord R. CECILI should not like to answer that without notice. The hon. Member will see that it is impossible for me to carry in my mind all the additions to the Consular service.
§ 10. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked if British Consular officers are entirely under the control of and solely responsible to the Foreign Office or if they are in part controlled by or responsible to any other Department; and, if so, which Depart ment and to what extent?
§ Lord R. CECILBritish Consular officers are entirely under the control of and solely responsible to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, except in regard to the administration of the Merchant Shipping Acts, on which subject they receive instructions from the Board of Trade.
§ 12. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked whether the high cost of living in Russia, as compared to other countries, is taken into account and fully counterbalanced by higher rates of pay and allowances to British Consular officers in Russia?
§ Lord R. CECILThe cost of living in Russia was carefuly considered when the present rates of pay for British Consular officers were fixed in 1913.
§ 13. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state whether any countries require documents relating to exports to them from this country to be 1037 certified before their Consuls here, and fees to be paid for such certifications; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of requiring that similar Consular certificates should be required in respect of imports intended for this country and of devoting the fees derived therefrom to the strengthening of our Consular service?
§ Lord R. CECILI would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Melton on the 26th of January and 22nd ultimo.