§ 8. Mr. PETHERICKasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what basis the rates of exchange are calculated in the payment of salaries to members of His Majesty's Diplomatic Service stationed abroad; if the rate of exchange is so calculated that they are not worse situated in this respect than their colleagues in the Foreign Office; and if they have, or have not, expressed satisfaction with the existing arrangement?
§ Sir J. SIMONI presume that my hon. Friend's inquiry refers to the rates of exchange for the payment of salaries of members of the Diplomatic Service stationed abroad in countries which are on the gold standard. In these cases arrangements have been made for the payment at the par of exchange of that proportion of their emoluments which is estimated to be spent in local currency. This system has given satisfaction, and is designed to place the members of the Service employed abroad in the same position in this respect as their colleagues at home.