§ 70. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements have been come to with regard to the precedence of the High Commissioners of the Dominions and India?
The SECRETARY of STATE for The COLONIES (Mr. Thomas)As the House is aware, among the matters discussed at the Imperial Conference, 1923, was the question of the precedence of the High Commissioners in London. In accordance with the undertaking then given the matter was examined arid suggestions were put forward, with His Majesty's approval, by the late Government for the consideration of the Dominion Prime Ministers and the Government of India. These proposals have proved generally acceptable, and His Majesty has now been pleased to direct that the High Commissioners for Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, the Irish Free State, Newfoundland and India should be given pre 1898 cedence on ceremonial occasions, according to the following principles:
- (a) When British or Dominion Ministers being at the time members of their respective Cabinets, are present, the High Commissioners should take precedence immediately after them; this is subject to the qualification that the High Commissioner should not on any occasion be given a higher place than that accorded by the Table of Precedence to Secretaries of State.
- (b) When no members of the British or Dominion Cabinets are present, the High Commissioners should take precedence immediately after that accorded by the Table of Precedence to Secretaries of State.