HC Deb 08 March 1916 vol 80 cc1512-3
6. Colonel YATE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, considering the importance of our trade with Scandinavia and Holland at the present time, and the fact that out of 111 salaried and unsalaried British Consuls and Vice-Consuls in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Holland only eleven salaried and seventeen unsalaried are of British descent and that the remaining eighty-three are all unsalaried aliens, and the desirability of replacing these unsalaried alien Vice-Consuls by men of British race at the earliest possible moment, he will now consider the question of obtaining the necessary funds for the payment of these salaries without extra cost to the State by directing the British Consuls resident in those foreign countries, whose Consuls; in Great Britain levy fees for Consular invoice certificates, certificates of origin, or for legalisation of bills of lading on all goods exported from this country, to levy the same fees for corresponding documents on all goods shipped from those countries to Great Britain?

Lord R. CECIL

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer returned by the President of the Board of Trade to the question asked by him on 26th January.

Salaried Consular officers of British nationality have been, and will be, appointed so far as is possible at all places where their presence is necessary, but it must be remembered that apart from the question of expense it is exceedingly difficult at the present time to find suitable candidates with the requisite linguistic attainments.

I may add that the Diplomatic staff in those countries has been considerably increased since the War.

9. Mr. MALCOLM

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, inasmuch as the price of living in Russia as well as the Home taxation of salaries of British Government officials has very largely increased since the rates of pay were fixed for 1913, he will take steps to secure for our Diplomatic and Consular representatives in Russia a reasonable compensating allowance for these disadvantges?

Lord R. CECIL

The increase which has taken place since 1913, both in the cost of living and in Home taxation affects British officials in all parts of the world including this country, and I fear no special provision can be made for the benefit of those serving in Russia.