MR. J. W. LOWTHER (Cumberland, Penrith)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to raise the Mission in Washington from the rank of a Legation to that of an Embassy; and whether Her Majesty's Government have been notified by the United States Government of their corresponding intention to raise their Minister in this country to the position of an Ambassador?
§ MR. LEGH (Lancashire, S. W., Newton)Will the present First Secretary of the Legation be affected by the change?
§ SIR E. GREYOn the 20th instant Sir Julian Pauncefote was appointed Ambassador to the United States, and at once notified the fact to the Secretary of State. Her Majesty's Government have been informed that it is the intention of the United States Government to accredit a Representative of similar rank to the Court of St. James's, in acceptance and reciprocation of Her Majesty's friendly action. With regard to the supple- 1179 mental question, I can only say that promotion is made at the discretion of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and that discretion is in no way impaired by the new appointment.