HC Deb 09 March 1916 vol 80 cc1687-8
12. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked if in 1913 Germany had about seventy-five unsalaried Consular officers in the United Kingdom as against about thirty-six unsalaried British Consular officers in Ger- many; how many of the unsalaried German Consular officers in the United Kingdom were Germans; how many were of enemy origin who had become naturalised British subjects; how many of the unsalaried British Consular officers in Germany were British subjects; and how many were subjects of countries with which we are now at War?

Lord R. CECIL

It has been found very difficult to get complete information on the subject of this question, and the following must be regarded as only approximate: British unsalaried Consular officers in Germany, at the end of 1913, numbered thirty-seven, of whom eight were British and the remainder German subjects. Germany at the same time, according to the list compiled at the Foreign Office, had in this country fifty-seven unsalaried Consular officers, of whom, according to information available, four were Germans and eight were naturalised British subjects of enemy origin. These figures do not include a number of so-called Consular Agents, who, according to the German Consular Regulations, have no official authority, and are consequently not members of the Consular body, properly speaking. The German Consular Agents in the United Kingdom were, with one possible exception, all British subjects.

13. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked how many Consular inspectors are now in the Service; in which countries they serve; the salaries paid them; and their principal duties?

Lord R. CECIL

The system of Consular inspection is in suspense during the War.

14. Mr. PENNEFATHER

asked if any of the recommendations of the last Royal Commission which reported on the General Consular Service have been adopted; and, if so, which?

Lord R. CECIL

It will, I am afraid, be impracticable to deal with the recommendations of the Royal Commission in regard to the General Consular Service during the War.