§ 1. Mr. BILLINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Consular officers of foreign origin there are in the British Consular Service; what is the approximate annual amount received by unsalaried British Consulate officers of foreign origin as stamp fees and office allowances; what is the smallest salary received by any British Consular officer; and whether, in view of the lessons taught us by the War, the Secretary of State will see his way clear in future to employ only men of British birth as British Consular officers?
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD ROBERT CECIL)The answer to the first and last parts of the question is that there are none but British—born subjects in the salaried Consular Service. Vice-Consuls are placed on a scale of salary, with a minimum of £300 per annum, rising gradually to £500. They do not retain "stamp fees" in addition, but in those cases where they are appointed to independent posts, they are granted office allowances to cover the cost of the upkeep of the office. The amount of stamp fees and office allowances received by unsalaried Consular officers varies according to the amount of fees collected and to the expenses of the post. It is not comparable to salary. The total amount provided for 1915–16 was £108,446, of which about 7 per cent, was paid to posts where the unsalaried Consul was a foreigner. Foreigners are only appointed to posts which are unsalaried, where no suitable 1492 British subjects are available, and where no appointment at all would otherwise be made.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it the intention of the Government to appoint in future unsalaried Consuls of enemy origin?
§ Lord R. CECILI have already dealt with that by question and answer in this House. I do not know that I have anything to add. No person of enemy origin will be appointed, whether salaried or unsalaried.