§ Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the nature of the duties of the officer attached to the Prime Minister's Department of the Government of New 822W Zealand; and whether there are in other Dominions similar officers of the British Government?
§ Mr. LUNNThe duties of the officer referred to in the hon. and gallant Member's question were set out by the former Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in a reply given on 14th February, 1928, in the following terms
Arrangements have been made for a member of the staff of the Foreign Office to be seconded for attachment to the Department of the Prime Minister of New Zealand in a consultative or informative capacity, especially in relation to foreign affairs. He will not exercise executive or administrative functions, nor will he be in any sense a representative of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 14th February, 1928; col. 706, Vol. 213.]The period of secondment of the officer appointed to this post in 1928 terminated in March last, and I understand that the question of a fresh appointment is being held over by the New Zealand Government pending opportunity for discussion at the time of the next Imperial Conference. There are no officers of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom employed in a similar capacity in other Dominions.