– in the House of Commons at on 26 November 1934.
Mr William Kirkpatrick
, Preston
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the number of British subjects resident in Buenos Ayres?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
I regret that no definite statistics are available. Between 1922 and 1932, however, some 7,000 British subjects registered at His Majesty's Consulate-General at Buenos Ayres.
Mr William Kirkpatrick
, Preston
Does that figure represent also the very large British-domiciled community in Buenos Ayres?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
I think I am right in saying that the 7,000 are 7,000 British subjects, and there would be, in addition to that, some 200 more British-protected persons who are resident there.
Mr William Kirkpatrick
, Preston
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the number of British subjects resident in South America?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
My most recent information is based on an estimate furnished three years ago by His Majesty's representatives in the countries concerned. According to this estimate the number of British subjects then resident in South America, including Panama, was approximately 116,000, of whom some 47,000 were British West Indian subjects, and 1,150 British Indian subjects.
Mr William Kirkpatrick
, Preston
Will the right hon. Gentleman see that steps are taken by the Foreign Office to ensure that an accurate news service, whether by wireless or cable, or by other methods, is supplied to this very important and intensely loyal British community in South America?
Mr John Simon
, Spen Valley
I most warmly share the feeling of my hon. Friend that we are dealing with a very important community of British subjects living abroad and attached to this country. It is a matter in which we take a great interest. I should not be able off hand to answer the question about a news service, but I can assure my hon. Friend that his view of the importance of this matter is one that I entirely share.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.