§ Mr. WATERSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the German Government are granting fees to the German consulates in Russia for securing 436W Russian orders for German markets; whether this has resulted advantageously to both countries; if so, is he prepared to communicate and confer with the British consuls in Russia as to what method should be adopted to counteract such policy; and if he will consider the adoption of some similar or alternative scheme in order to increase British trade with that country?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have no information on this subject, but if the hon. Member will give me further particulars I will make inquiries. There are at present no British Consuls in Russia, but only official agents appointed under the Trade Agreement. I am not, as at present advised, disposed to think that a system of the kind suggested would prove desirable in practice.