§ 5. Sir W. SEAGERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will give the scale of salaries of the Consular Service and of the Trade Commissioner Service?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThe reply to the hon. Member's question is necessarily detailed, and will, I fear, not convey much if given orally. I, therefore, propose to circulate the full reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The following is the Answer promised: The old scales of salary for the Consular Service were:
| Vice-Consuls | £300 | rising | to | £500 |
| Consuls (2nd grade) | £600 | " | " | £700 |
| Consuls (1st grade) | £800 | |||
| Consuls-General £900, £1,000 and £1,200 |
§ Local allowances were given in expensive countries, and war bonus when proved necessary.
§ The scales now paid under the new scheme for the reorganisation of the Consular Service are:
| Vice-Consul | £300 | rising | to | £800 |
| Consuls | £800 | " | " | £1,000 |
| Consuls-General | £1,200 | " | " | £1,500 |
§ In addition, representation allowances are given, ranging from £100 to £400, according to grade and duties. Rent allowances are also given ranging from £50 to £250. Local allowances for expensive countries are also included. In addition, it is suggested in the new scheme that the salaries proposed should be free of Income Tax, or that some allowance should be given in lieu of such exemption. It is also proposed that war bonus should be continued as at present, subject to revision as the cost of living falls.
§ The new scales of salary and of representation and rent allowance and the continuance of local allowance have been approved with effect as from the 1st April last, but the questions of allowance in 1103 lieu of exemption from Income Tax and the continuance of war bonus are still under discussion with the Treasury.
§ The scales of salary for the Trade Commissioner Service are:
- First Grade.—£1,000, rising by annual increments of £50 to £1,200 per annum.
- Second Grade.—£700, rising by annual increments of £25 to £900 per annum.
- Third Grade.—£500, rising by annual increments of £25 to £700 per annum.
- Trade Commissioners also receive annual local allowances varying from £300 to £600 in accordance with conditions of living at the post.