LORD LYVEDENMy Lords, I beg to ask whether, in view of distress in certain centres in Switzerland where Dr. H. S. Lunn, Limited, of which firm I am director, have many clients known personally to our representatives, His Majesty's Government will appoint my co-director Mr. George Cumberland Dobbs, now at Montana Vermala, temporary Vice-Consul for the Rhone Valley; my co-director Mr. Ernest Threlfall Whitehead, now at Murren, Switzerland, Vice-Consul for Bernese Oberland; and Mr. Neil Pearson, our representative at Lugano, Switzerland, Vice-Consul; accrediting them to obtain from State banks moderate sums to suffice for the relief of British subjects in their neighbourhood, receiving, as far as possible, cheques from persons thus relieved to repay the Government at the earliest possible date.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (EARL BEAUCHAMP)My Lords, the notice which my noble friend was good enough to give of this Question did not reach me in time for me to consult the Foreign Office before the sitting of the House. I can, however, assure him that I will communicate with the Foreign Office without delay, and inquire whether they are able to take steps in the direction which the noble Lord desires.