§ 47. Sir PHILIP LLOYD-GREAMEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government has recently raised the British Legation in Portugal to the rank of an Embassy, His Majesty's Government will consider favourably proposing to the Argentine Government that the British Legation in that country should be raised to the rank of an Embassy also?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Ponsonby)The decision to raise His Majesty's Legation at Lisbon to the rank of an Embassy was taken in fulfilment of a pledge given to the Portuguese Government during the late War. It must not be taken, therefore, as a precedent.
§ Sir BURTON CHADWICKIs this a matter for the Argentine Government to bring up or for His Majesty's Government? Why is it not considered important enough that Buenos Ayres in the Argentine should be represented by an Embassy?
§ Mr. PONSONBYThe hon. Member must not suggest that I said it was not important. What I said was that this case of Lisbon must not be treated as a precedent.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor has already acted in the same way in the case of Brazil, and does he not think there is much to be said for the proposal to raise the Legation at Buenos Ayres to the rank of an Embassy?