§ 2. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in which cities, ports, or commercial centres in Russia and Siberia British consular officers are stationed; and whether it is proposed to increase these consular posts?
§ Mr. PONSONBYThe whole question of our consular representation is at this moment under consideration, and I am not as yet in a position to make a complete statement. At present assistant official agents are stationed in Petrograd and Vladivostok, and we are contemplating that these posts shall be made into consulates. If the Union Government agree, consuls-general will be appointed at once to Moscow and Odessa, and other consular officers to Tiflis and Kharkoff. Consular officers will be appointed to Archangel when the port opens, and to Novorossisk and Nicolaieff when considered desirable.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill this be reciprocal—that is, will the Russian Government be allowed to nominate consular officers in our principal commercial centres?
§ Mr. PONSONBYI believe that arrangements are being reception of the consular Soviet Government.
§ Mr. HANNONWill all these consular officers be British subjects, with a competent knowledge of British trade?
§ Mr. PONSONBYYes; I think they will be British subjects appointed according to the Regulations.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELWill they be British born?
§ Mr. PONSONBYI would not like to commit myself absolutely, but I think that will be the case.
§ Colonel Sir C. YATEWhat Government does the Under-Secretary mean by the "Union Government "?
§ Mr. PONSONBYThe Union of Soviets.