§ Mr. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which of the Consulates and Vice-Consulates of Great Britain are in charge of persons who are not British-born subjects of His Majesty; and whether there are any regulations or necessary qualification which must be complied with before any such appointments can be made?
1676W
§ Sir E. GREYAll salaried posts in His Majesty's Consular Service are filled by British subjects. The unsalaried posts are filled by British subjects except in cases where no suitable British subject is available. Entrance into the salaried service can only be obtained after passing a competitive examination before the Civil Service Commissioners, for which a previous nomination by the Secretary of State is required.
§ Mr. NIELDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are any vacancies at the present time in the British Consular Service, either in the posts of Consuls or Vice-Consuls; in which places and for how long have such vacancies existed; and what are the reasons why they have not been filled up?
§ Sir E. GREYThe only vacancy at present existing in His Majesty's salaried Consular Service is at His Majesty's Consulate-General at Monrovia, which has been vacant since 19th February last, and is at present occupied by an acting officer. This vacancy will be filled as soon as a suitable officer has been selected for the post.