§ 82. Mr. SMITHERSasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he proposes to send the Permanent Secretary of his Department to Rio de Janeiro in order to set the standard of the building and furnishing of the new Embassy there, 23 or whether he proposes to entrust the supervision to the discretion of the technical officers responsible for the work connected with the new Embassy?
§ Mr. LANSBURYThe development of the scheme for a new Embassy at Rio de Janeiro has not yet reached a stage at which any question can arise as to whether points of policy or principle connected with the building and furnishing services, carried out by the executive divisions of the Department, call for a visit by the Permanent Secretary of my Department. Any such question will, however, be decided on its merits as and when occasion arises.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the right hon. Gentleman take advantage of the occasion of the opening at the new Embassy at Rio to give another joy-ride to one of the permanent officials?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI think that is a perfectly offensive question in reference to a civil servant who, I believe, is most highly respected by everyone.