HC Deb 29 July 1954 vol 531 c104W
110. Mr. Snow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at Leopoldville, Belgian Congo, is responsible for answering queries raised by the Export Credits Guarantee Department; what are his normal routine sources of information; and how far is a knowledge of the French language is considered necessary to be able to conduct such inquiries.

Mr. Nutting

Her Majesty's vice-consul at Leopoldville, who performs the commercial work at the post under the superintendence of Her Majesty's consul-general, would normally answer queries raised by the Export Credits Guarantee Department. His normal routine sources of information are banks and commercial contacts. A knowledge of French, which Her Majesty's vice-consul uses extensively, is important for the conduct of such inquiries.