§ Mr. COOPERasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs if any of the recommendations of the Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the constitution of the Consular Service in 1903 have been given effect to; and, if so, will he indicate the main changes that have taken place?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first part of the question of the hon. Member is in the affirmative; the limit of age for admission to the General Consular Service has been placed at twenty-two to twenty-seven, and all members of the salaried service are required to serve as Vice-Consul in order to qualify for promotion to the rank of Consul. A system of competitive examination has been introduced. Any natural born British subject1050W who produces satisfactory recommendation as to character can appear before a Board of Selection appointed by the Secretary of State to recommend candidates for permission to compete in the examination. The posts have been divided into grades as suggested by the Committee, and the salaries in each grade have been equalised as far as possible.