Major LLOYO-GREAMEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether upwards of 500 British Consuls, Vice-Consuls, and Consular Agents are allowed by the Foreign Office to trade; and, if so, what steps are taken in order to ensure that officials who combine a British official position with a commercial occupation carry on the latter in the interests of British trade?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODThere are 550 unsalaried Consular Officers. These are permitted to trade. It should be clearly understood that these officers are posted at places where the British interests involved would not justify the appointment of a salaried officer, entailing a charge upon public funds for which no sufficient return could be expected. Unsalaried Consular Officers are appointed on the recommendation of the Superintendent Consular Officer of the district, and their position, occupation, and interests are carefully considered as governing factors in the question of their suitability for such appointment. If an unpaid Consular 1837W Officer proves in any way unsatisfactory, steps are taken to effect a change.