§ 36. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Ernest Maxse, His Majesty's Consul-General at Rotterdam, who is to succeed Mr. Hearn, His Majesty's Consul-General in Paris, is of German origin and at one time served in the Prussian cavalry?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)Consul-General Maxse served in the First Hanoverian Lancers for two years, from 1885 to 1887. He is the son of the late Sir Henry Maxse, Colonel of the Coldstream Guards and Governor of Newfoundland, his mother being of Austrian origin. The position at present in regard to the Consulate-General at Paris is that the post is not yet vacant, it being still held by Mr. Hearn. The question of Mr. Hearn's successor is under consideration.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhy is Mr. Hearn, who has done his work very well, being sacked from Paris?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHThere is no suggestion of Mr. Hearn being sacked from Paris.
§ Brigadier-General CROFTIs it the policy of His Majesty's Government to see that no gentlemen who are sons of foreign parents or have foreign blood are given any of these appointments in the near future?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHThe Foreign Office practice in these matters is very strict.
Lieut.-Colonel MALONEHas any petition concerning this matter been received from the Chamber of Commerce in Paris?
§ Mr. BILLINGHas Mr. Maxse served in the War, and, if so, in what capacity?
§ Mr. BETTERTONHas he not performed valuable services throughout the whole of the War?