HC Deb 02 May 1901 vol 93 cc459-60
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will state the reason of the omission to make, by means of an ambassador extraordinary, the formal communication of the accession of King-Edward VII. to Pope Leo XIII., and on what grounds has a compliment conferred on the heads of other States, including the Sultan of Turkey, been withheld from the Sovereign Pontiff.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

There is no diplomatic representation between this country and the Vatican, and it has not been the practice to communicate officially to the Pope in the event of a death of a member of the Royal Family, as it is the custom to make the announcement to foreign Governments. His Majesty has expressed himself as profoundly sensible of the kindly sympathy expressed by the Pope towards His Majesty and this country in the late national bereavement; and, in addition, as I informed the House in March last, an official notification conveying a suitable acknowledgment of his sympathy has been sent to his Holiness.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

Was the letter sent before the Pope had received a copy of the oath taken by the King?

[No answer was returned.]