§ Mr. CONNOLLYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the personnel of British Consulates in some European countries are suffering financial loss through the fluctuations in monetary currencies; will he consider the advisability of adopting some method of adjustment to meet the recurrent changes or, alternatively, instituting a system of payment of wages and salaries on a sterling basis; and if he is aware that in some British Consulates there exists no system of promotion, and the absence of opportunity to rise is bearing harshly on many British subjects of long service?
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§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELThe matter referred to in the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question is receiving the most earnest consideration, and it is hoped that a satisfactory solution will shortly be found. As regards the third part, I would explain that the clerical staffs of British Consuls are generally recruited locally. The circumstances of their employment make it impossible to provide for them regular avenues of promotion. Entrance into the Consular Service proper is now entirely by means of an examination conducted by His Majesty's Civil Service Commissioners.