§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether E. Hanbloch occupies any and, if so, what position 2285W under his Department in Brazil; whether he is the son of a naturalised German; and why a pure-blooded Englishman cannot be obtained for the post?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDMr. Ernest Hambloch has been a member of His Majesty's Salaried Consular Service since 1909. He was appointed Vice-Consul at Rio de Janeiro in November of the same year and acted as Consul-General there from March, 1910, till January, 1914. He was appointed Commercial Attachéat Rio de Janeiro in January, 1916, and was confirmed in this appointment with the rank of Commercial Secretary (Grade 1) asfrom 1st April, 1918. I understand that his father was a denaturalised German of French origin who became a naturalised British subject before Mr. Hambloch's birth. His mother is of entirely British origin. I have received repeated testimony to the excellence of Mr. Hambloch's work at Rio de Janeiro from the British commercial community in Brazil and from others in a good position to judge of his qualifications, and I have every reason to believe that he is admirably fitted for the post to which he has been appointed.