HC Deb 29 March 1927 vol 204 cc1055-6
87. Sir H. BRITTAIN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the feeling held by British residents in the Argentine and others that the time has now arrived when our Legation at Buenos Aires should be raised to the status of an embassy; and whether he will agree to reconsider this subject further in view of the importance of the Argentine and our close relations with that country?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. For the rest, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hillsborough (Mr. A. V. Alexander) on 8th of March, to which I have at present nothing to add.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Will the hon. Gentleman consider giving a lead to other nations by doing away with the differentiation; between embassies and legations and adopting some new term such as "envoy," which would do away with the old bitterness and heartburning?

Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSON

If my hon. Friend will look at the answer to which I have referred, he will see that His Majesty's Government are giving the most careful consideration to this question.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Does the hon. Gentleman know whether the British residents in the Argentine are prepared to pay the extra cost?