§ Mr. G. BALFOURasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the post of Consul-General at New York has recently been filled by a gentleman whose experience of the consular service dates only from June, 1919; whether the salary attached to the said appointment has been raised from £1,200 to £5,000 per annum; whether there is dissatisfaction in the consular service with this arrangement; and whether the long experience and capacity of other members of the service have been overlooked to the detriment of the efficiency of the service?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIt is true that His Majesty's Consul-General at New-York entered the Consular Service in June last. He was appointed to New York on the ground of his special business experience in England and America, after the most careful consideration had been given to his claims in comparison with those of other possible candidates. The salary of the post has not been altered, but a special inclusive allowance of £4,000 a year has been assigned to the post to meet the very special conditions obtaining at New York. I have had very little indication of dissatisfaction in the service as the result of the appointment. I have had every indication that the business community of the United Kingdom is well pleased with the appointment. The answer to the last sentence of the question is in the negative.