HC Deb 17 November 1925 vol 188 cc178-9
16. Mr. ALBERY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state, in two categories, giving their official designations, the principal officials employed in a British Embassy, the first category to include those officials whose duties are principally of a diplomatic nature, the second category to state those officials whose duties are principally concerned with commercial and trading interests?

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

A typical distri- bution of the principal officials at a British Embassy would be as follows:

Political:

Commercial:

The Ambassador is responsible for both the political and the commercial sides of the work.

Mr. ALBERY

Will the Government consider a redistribution of these duties more in keeping with the importance of the trade and commerce of this country?

Mr. SAMUEL

The Government are very much alive to the necessity of making these arrangements in such a form as will help trade and industry. If the hon. Member has any suggestions to make with a view to improving these arrangements, I shall gratefully look into them.