HC Deb 01 June 1932 vol 266 cc1142-3
3. Mr. PERKINS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that last Thursday afternoon a British subject was unable to get assistance from the British Consul at Cologne owing to the office being closed; and whether he will make arrangements for this office to remain open until 5 p.m. on Thursday afternoons?

Sir J. SIMON

I have heard nothing about the incident referred to by my hon. Friend. The hours during which Consular offices are open to the public follow, as a rule, the local business hours. When the office at Cologne is closed, persons requiring assistance can apply to the Consul-General at his private residence, the address of which is posted up outside the door of the office. In these circumstances, I see no need for arranging for an extension of office hours as suggested by my hon. Friend.

4. Mr. PERKINS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of persons employed in His Majesty's Consul's office at Cologne and the total annual cost to this country?

Sir J. SIMON

There are six persons employed at this post. The total net cost of the post is now at the rate of £4,490 a year.

Mr. PERKINS

Will my right hon. Friend arrange for at least one of these six people who are employed at this post to be on the telephone?

Sir J. SIMON

I need not say that I wish to see all proper arrangements made. As I have told my hon. Friend, I have no previous information about the facts here, and therefore I would ask him to be good enough to inform me to what the incident is to which he refers.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

Would it not be possible to dismiss three of these people now that the country is so hard up?

Sir J. SIMON

I am sure that my hon. and gallant Friend who makes that suggestion realises that this is the biggest Consulate in Germany and one at the head of which is the Consul-General.

Mr. HANNON

Is it not a fact that the Consul service at Cologne is very efficient and renders very efficient service to this country?

Sir J. SIMON

I am glad to hear my hon. Friend say so.