§ Mr. STEWARTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the coming reconstruction of our Consular ser- 1633W vice, in which it has been so often the case to have British vice-Consuls of Foreign nationality, he will consider the advisability of appointing at seaports British shipmasters of experience as resident vice-Consuls, under the direction of the Consul General for the district, in view of the fact that so much Consular work at foreign seaports relates to British shipping?
Sir A. STEEL MAITLANDAn Inter-Departmental Committee has been con-1634W sidering this question, and it has been decided to recommend the appointment at certain posts where the volume of shipping work is very considerable, of deputy superintendents of Mercantile Marine, to be seconded for service by the Board of Trade. These officers would be in charge of the Consular shipping office, and would hold the local rank of vice-Consul. This system has in fact been in force at New York for some years.