40. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister if the Government intend to give effect to any and, if so, which of the recommendations of the Committee which has recently reported on the machinery best adapted for dealing with and promoting foreign trade; and if, in view of the disadvantage under which this country has laboured in the past in competition with foreign rivals owing to the defective organisation of and the unsatisfactory business experience demanded for the Consular service, the Government will arrange for appointments to this service to be primarily controlled by the Department whose main function is to promote foreign trade?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIf, as I assume, the reference is to the majority Report of the Committee of which Lord Cave was chairman, I am happy to be able to say that, in so far as the recommendations in that Report required action, the necessary action has been or is being taken, and in particular that the administration of the Consular Department of the Foreign Office has been transferred to the Department of Oversea Trade. In this connection I may also refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given on the 18th instant to the hon. Member for Newcastle.
Mr. RARERWill the Department of the hon. Gentleman pay sufficient salaries to enable them to secure the services as commercial attachés of first-class business men instead of superior office boys as at present.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODWhile I cannot admit the last part of my hon. Friend's question, it is for this House and the Treasury to increase salaries which I think are inadequate.
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIt is part of the answer which I have given my hon. Friend. The recommendations have been or are being put into force.
Mr. J. JONESIn view of the passing of the Aliens Act, is it desirable that we should trade with aliens at all?