§ 9. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any instructions are given to His Majesty's Ambassadors as to their conduct at public dinners and other social occasions; and, if so, whether such instructions in any way differ from those appertaining to their official activities?
§ Mr. EdenThe answer to the first part of the question is, No, Sir. The second part does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. HendersonIs it not a fact that in the view of the Foreign Minister himself an Ambassador is always on duty, and if that be so, is it not undesirable for any Ambassador to make statements on social occasions which are inconsistent with the views of His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. EdenI suppose we are always all on duty, but there may be occasions when more licence is allowed to us than on others.