§ 7. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it is the policy of the Government to make appointments from the consular and commercial diplomatic services to the Diplomatic Service; and how many have been made in each of the last three years?
§ Mr. DALTONOfficers of the consular and commercial diplomatic services are appointed from time to time to be heads of diplomatic missions when such appointments are considered to be in the public interest. One such appointment was made in 1928, one in 1929, and two have been made in the present year.
§ Mr. MANDERWere not these appointments all minor appointments, and is it proposed to make any major appointments?
§ Mr. DALTONThese are all appointments as heads of diplomatic missions abroad; for example, the two appointments which have been made this year are those of Sir Andrew Ryan to be His Majesty's Minister at Jedda and of Mr. Dickson to be His Majesty's Minister at Bogota.
§ Mr. MILLSWill the Under-Secretary take into consideration the changed conditions now obtaining in the representation of this country in other countries, and that, in place of the old forms of social etiquette, a knowledge of international trade is required, and that for that reason consular knowledge is essential.