§ 3. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many consulates in China are closed at the present time; how long they have been closed in each case; and when his Department anticipates being able to fill them, in view of the facts that the shortage.of,officials is causing inconvenience to British traders?
§ Sir J. SIMONMy information is that a temporary shortage of staff due to recent cases of death, illness and resignation, has involved closing for the time being His Majesty's Consulates at Newchwang, Ichang and Tsinan on the 17th April, the 30th April and the 4th May respectively. I anticipate that the Consulate at Tsinan will be reopened at an early date, the Consulate at Ichang in the autumn, and that at Newchwang not later than next spring. Meanwhile the usual consular facilities in the districts affected are being supplied by neighbouring consular posts.