HC Deb 03 July 1950 vol 477 c27
50. Mr. W. Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the present Consul-General in Shanghai is being relieved.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Mr. Urquhart, His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai is being relieved as a matter of routine and also for personal reasons. It is hoped to replace him by a senior consular officer.

Mr. Fletcher

Is Mr. Urquhart being relieved at his own request? Will the hon. Gentleman also state whether he will be able to replace Mr. Urquhart by an officer of the same repute and experience, who will be very difficult to, find?

Mr. Davies

We have every intention and hope or replacing him by an officer of equal rank. He is being removed partially at his own request. It is a matter of routine and personal reasons.

Mr. Fletcher

Will the Under-Secretary give a clear answer, which he has not done? Is Mr. Urquhart being relieved at his own request, and is he being replaced by an officer not of equal length of service but of equal repute and experience?

Mr. Davies

It is our intention to replace him by someone of equal repute. As regards his being removed at his request, there is a combination of reasons. When a person is changed from place to place, all matters are taken into account. His own personal affairs are one matter and the fact that he has been there for a certain length of time is another.