MR. MACARTNEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether his attention has been drawn to a statement contained in the "Standard" newspaper of the 10th March, purporting to be written from Rome on Friday night the 9th instant, to the following effect—
I learn from the Vatican that the English Government and the Holy See have found the 792 difficulties of establishing a British Resident at the Vatican too serious to be overcome, and that, having regard to the present circumstances of the British Ministry, it is determined to abandon the scheme for the present, and to content themselves on either side with endeavours to remove obstacles, and keep up a continual interchange of communications. Meanwhile, Mr. Errington was received at the Vatican on the same day as the regular Diplomatic Representatives to congratulate the Pontiff on the anniversary of his Coronation and birthday;and, whether, if the circumstances are as alleged in the correspondent's letter, Mr. Errington is admitted with the other Diplomatic Representatives to the presence of the Roman Pontiff in the capacity of an agent of Her Majesty's Government, though not officially accredited as such?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, Her Majesty's Government have not proposed, and have, therefore, not had occasion to abandon, a scheme for establishing a British Resident at the Vatican. I believe that Mr. Errington was received by the Pontiff on the occasion of his birthday, among other distinguished foreigners, many of whom were members of the Corps Diplomatique.