§ In order to provide some compensation for Consular officers in certain countries, who experienced a considerable reduction of salary owing to the fluctuations of the exchange, the Exchange Compensation Scheme was adopted in China, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Persia, and also at Saigon. Under this scheme a Consular officer draws the first £300 of his salary, plus half the excess over £300, locally, in currency at par rate. War bonus is payable on this proportion. The other half of the excess of his salary over £300 is paid to his agents in England in sterling.
§ This scheme lapses, of course, when the rate of exchange rises above par, as is at present the case in Denmark and Norway, but the bonus continues to be payable.
§ The present rates of war bonus, calculated on that part of the salary which is payable locally, in currency, are as follows:
§ Norway and Sweden—
§ Permanent officers, 75 per cent.
§ Temporary officers—
§ Salaries exceeding £300, but not exceeding £400, 65 per cent.
§ Salaries exceeding £400, but not exceeding £500, 60 per cent.
§ Salaries exceeding £500, but not exceeding £600, 50 per cent.
§ Sweden only—
§ Salaries exceeding £600, but not exceeding £700, 40 per cent.
§ Salaries exceeding £700, 35 per cent.
§ (Prior to 1st April, 1918, when the rates of war bonus were increased, the rate for all officers in Norway and Sweden was 50 per cent. and 35 per cent. respectively.)
§ Denmark—Permanent officers, 40 per cent. (33⅓ per cent. prior to 1st April, 1918; temporary officers continue at this rate of bonus).
§ Netherlands—Prior to 1st July, 1918, the rate of bonus, with the scheme, was 25 per cent., and 20 per cent. for officers who did not avail themselves of the scheme. This has now been increased, as from 1st July, 1918, to 60 per cent. for permanent officers and 50 per cent. for temporary officers.
§ Switzerland—The bonus is 37½ per cent. for all Consular officers.
1826W§ Spain—17½ Per cent. for all officers, temporary or permanent. An increase is under contemplation.
§ Persia—30 per cent. for all officers paid by the Foreign Office.
§ China—The bonus is
§ £200 a year for Consuls and Consuls-General.
§ £150 a year for Vice-Consuls.
§ £75 a year for Assistants.
§ Saigon—The Consul receives £100 per annum as bonus, which is added to his emoluments, and the scheme is calculated on the total, which is converted to currency at the rate of 10 dols. equals £1.
§ Sir S. HOAREasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what cases has a grant for rent been made to Councillors and First, Second, and Third Secretaries, and what is the amount in each case that has been granted since 1914?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe following rent allowances to Councillors were in existence in 1914, and have been drawn continuously, except at the capitals of enemy countries, where they were continued only for solong as the councillors remained responsible for the payment of rent:
Vienna £150 per annum. Cairo 150 per annum. Paris 250 per annum. Berlin 150 per annum. Rome 100 per annum. Petrograd 150 per annum. Madrid 100 per annum. Constantinople 150 per annum. Washington 150 per annum. increased in 1918 to £600 a year. Darmstadt—A special allowance of £150 was sanctioned in 1914, while Lord Acton was responsible for houses in Darmstadt and Berne.
Secretaries who were withdrawn from enemy countries on the outbreak of war were allowed a special grant to a maximum of £100 a year for as long as they were responsible for the payment of rent. A special rent allowance of £100 per annum was granted to the First Secretary at Athens, from 1st January, 1918, to 29th November, 1918. Special rent allowances were sanctioned for secretaries at 1827W Washington in 1918. The amounts were £400 for married Secretaries and £150 for unmarried Secretaries.