§ Sir E. STOCKTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there are any vacancies in the consular service or in the trade commissioner service; how these appointments are being filled; and whether the fullest investigation is being made into the applications of those who have been specially trained in commerce and languages and who have in addition an ex-service recommendation?
Sir W. JONSON-HICKSNo vacancies at present exist in the Consular, the 1575W Commercial Diplomatic, or the Trade Commissioner Services. As regards the Consular Service, an examination is held each year, if necessary, under direction of the Civil Service Commission. No other means of entry into the Consular Service now exists. Candidates are required to appear prior to the examination before a board of selection on which business and commercial interests are represented. Successful candidates in the examination undergo a special course of two years; those for the general service at the London School of Economics, and those for the levant service at the University of Cambridge. Successful candidates for the Far Eastern Services proceed abroad at once, but are required to spend two years at the respective diplomatic missions, where they receive a thorough training in the language of the country in which they are to serve. Candidates for posts in the Commercial Diplomatic and Trade Commissioner Services have been selected on the recommendation of advisory committees comprising a number of business men. In all cases investigation is made into the special commercial and liguistic qualifications of candidates, and the fullest consideration has always been given to ex-service applicants.