§ 3. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government will take steps to amend Note 5 of the consular fee-table forming part of the Consular Fees Order-in-Council (No. 1) of 1921, having regard to the fact that in Switzerland and other countries where the British pound is at a discount consular fees have to be paid at the old parity (in the case of Switzerland at the rate of 25 francs to the pound), whereas in other countries where the British pound stands at a premium the British trader is not allowed to have the benefit of the fall in the rate of exchange?
§ Sir J. SIMONI assume that my hon. Friend intends to refer, in the latter part of his question, to those other countries in which the British pound stands at a premium and not at a discount. Owing to the fall in the value of sterling the cost of maintaining the Diplomatic and Consular Services has increased considerably in countries whose currency is still on a Gold Standard, and the Government do not therefore propose to amend Note 5 in any way which would involve the loss of the additional revenue which accrues from the collection of fees at par of exchange. In other countries where sterling is at a premium the local currency is often too uncertain or too greatly reduced in value to be suitable at its par of exchange as a measure of the amount of the fees. His Majesty's Government consider that not less than the current equivalent of the fees as fixed in sterling should be paid, and do not therefore propose to effect any alteration of Note 5 in this respect.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise the annoyance to traders of this apparently small matter, and does he not think it desirable to have some uniform practice, that is to say, both currencies should be treated on the same basis whether it is a discount or a premium?
§ Sir J. SIMONI quite recognise that the hon. Gentleman has a good case in logic. But I would remind him that foreigners as well as British subjects not engaged in trade use the services of our Consuls abroad, and any concession made in the direction indicated would benefit them as well as British traders.