HC Deb 13 July 1910 vol 19 cc348-9
Lord WILLOUGHBY de ERESBY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, considering the present facilities of communication, special ambassadors will be sent to Foreign Courts to announce the death of the late King and the Accession of His present Majesty; and, if the ordinary means of communicating news are not considered sufficiently trustworthy, if our Ambassadors already accredited to Foreign Courts could communicate the news at less expense and with due decorum?

The UNDER - SECRETARY for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)

It has been the practice of European countries for some years past to announce the deaths and Accessions of their Sovereigns by means of special missions, and it was not considered advisable for Great Britain to depart from such usage on the present occasion.

Mr. GIBSON BOWLES

From what fund or what Vote will the cost of these special Ambassadors be defrayed? Will there be a special Vote, or will it come in the ordinary Votes?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

I am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.

Lord WILLOUGHBY de ERESBY

May I ask if this would not be a good occasion to make some efforts towards economy?