asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the conditions of service in the West African and Senegalese Consular service are not the same as those enjoyed by the West African Colonial service; and whether he intends to bring the Consular service up to the same standard as the Colonial?

I am aware that there is a difference in treatment, but the reason is that officers in the Colonial service as a rule spend their whole official career in one or other of the West Coast colonies, whereas Consular officers who serve at the two Consular posts on the West Coast proper, namely, Dakar and Monrovia, do BO only for a portion of their career, and after a period of service at either of these posts endeavours are made to give such officers a term at a healthy post. Moreover, West Coast Consular posts are classed, together with certain other Consular posts in different parts of the world, as "unhealthy" both for purposes of pension and leave of absence, and officers enjoy more favourable treatment as regards repayment of a proportion of travelling expenses on leave than officers serving elsewhere It will be seen that the conditions of service are thus quite different, and I do not propose to make any alteration in the existing Consular Regulations.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lord Privy Seal in this House, on several occasions, has expressed very strong views as to the advisability of changing the 18 months' tour into a 15 months' tour for those engaged in this service, and will he consider looking into this matter?

I was not aware of that fact, but I will certainly look into it and see what can be done.

Will the hon. Gentleman also look into the question from the point of view of the consular officers out there? Alter all, if the climate is unhealthy, surely it does not matter whether you are there all your life or only two or three years, you ought to get the same terms.

I am afraid I cannot change the climate. If the hon. and gallant, Member has any special representations to make to me on the subject, I shall be glad to consider them.