§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether this country maintains an Ambassador in Saudi Arabia and, if so, why it is thought necessary to maintain an envoy of such rank at a post so inconsiderable and so hostile.]
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, the United Kingdom does maintain an Ambassador in Saudi Arabia, since Her Majesty's Government are in diplomatic relations with the Saudi Arabian Government. As the noble Lord is aware, the practice of appointing Ambassadors only to a few great Powers has long since ceased to be observed. It is true that there are aspects of Saudi policy to which Her Majesty's Government take exception, but the existence of differences surely makes it more rather than less important that an Ambassador should be maintained in Jedda.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, is there not some danger that the whole status of Ambassadors may be debased by accrediting one to a régime of this kind?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, as I have said in my original Answer to the Question, the number of Ambassadors has increased very largely. Her Majesty's Government, whose responsibility it is, consider that an Ambassador in Saudi Arabia is valuable for their purposes.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I am not asking for any action at the moment, because I do not wish to embarrass the incumbent; but when his term expires, would it be possible to reconsider the question?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, it is always possible to reconsider any question, but I do not hold out any very optimistic hopes.
VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLS-BOROUGHMy Lords, may I raise a question? Can the noble Marquess tell us whether the diplomatic representation at Jedda of other Powers is of the same status as ours?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, there are certain other Powers which are represented on the same level as ourselves. I am not able offhand to give the exact number, but certainly there are other ambassadorial representatives.