6. Mr. COOTEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Government still continue the services of a special Envoy at the Vatican; if he will state the annual cost of the mission and the advantages to be derived from it; and if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to maintain a permanent Legation there?
§ Lord R. CECILThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; that to the last part is at present in the negative. The annual cost of the Mission is £4,500, and the advantages which it is expected to derive there from were clearly indicated in Command Paper No. 7736 of 1915.
§ Sir R. COOPERIs the present Envoy a Roman Catholic, and must he be so?
Mr. COOTEIs the Noble Lord aware of the very strong feeling in this country against the continuance of this Envoy?
§ Lord R. CECILI am not aware of it, and I trust it is not true.
10. Mr. COOTEasked if and when the appointment of the Envoy to the Vatican received the sanction of Parliament; and what is the form of civil government existing at the Vatican and warranting the presence of an Envoy?
§ Lord R. CECILThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, as it is not customary to submit diplomatic appointments for the sanction of Parliament, except in so far as they figure in the Diplomatic and Consular Vote. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to any usual work of reference such as the "Statesman's Year Book."