HC Deb 07 May 1919 vol 115 cc951-3W
Sir. S. HOARE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, and, if so, in what respect the scale of salaries and allowances of His Majesty's Diplomatic servants abroad, the salaried officers of His Majesty's Consular Service, and the Levant and Far Eastern interpreters, issued in April, 1914, has since been altered?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The salaries of the heads of missions have been divided between salaries and frais de representation, as shown in the Diplomatic Estimates for 1919–20 (Class V., Vote 1), and it is proposed to assign "foreign allowances," for which provision is made in the Estimates, varying in accordance with the expensiveness of the post.

In regard to the salaries, of counsellors, and first, second, and third secretaries, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to him of yesterday.

War bonuses have been granted during the War to meet the increased cost of living; but, generally speaking, these bonuses will cease on the introduction of the new rates of pay. War bonus has also been granted to Consular officers. The permanent increase of scales of pay in the Consular Service, including the Levant and the Far Eastern Services, has for some time past been in course of preparation in connection with a general scheme of improvement which is now complete and awaits final consideration.

Sir S. HOARE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the offices of Ambassador at Washington and Consul-General at New York are now vacant; who is in charge of their respective duties; and when it is proposed to fill up the vacancies?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

These offices are at present vacant, the Embassy in Washington being in the charge of Mr. Colville Barclay, and the Consulate-General in New York in the charge of Mr. F. Watson. I am unable to say when either of the vacancies will be filled.

Sir S. HOARE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what are the present numbers, respectively, of secretaries, assistant secretaries, and clerks of all grades in the Foreign Office; Ambassadors, Ministers, Counsellors, Secretaries, and Attachés, in the Diplomatic Service; salaried Consuls-General, Consuls, and Vice-consuls; Levant and Far Eastern interpreters; and King's Messengers?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The numbers, as provided in the Estimates for 1919–20, are as follows:

Foreign Office—Under-Secretaries (and Parliamentary Under-Secretary), 3; Assistant Secretaries, 8; Clerks of all grades, 110. (The above figures do not include officials of the Department of Overseas Trade, which is a joint Department of the Foreign Office and Board of Trade.)

Diplomatic Service—Ambassadors, 10; Ministers, 30; Counsellors, 13; Secretaries, 67.

General Consular Service (salaried)—Consuls-General, 38; Consuls, 53; Vice-Consuls, 69; Probationers, 5.

Levant Consular Service—Consuls-General, 9; Consuls, 28; Vice-Consuls, 43; Assistants, 9; Student Interpreters, 8.

Far Eastern Consular Service—Consuls-General, 9; Consuls, 25; Vice-Consuls, 14; Assistants, 52; Student Interpreter, 1.

King's Messengers—Foreign Service, 7; Home Service, 6.