HC Deb 18 October 1944 vol 403 cc2349-51
5. Mr. Boothby

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will further clarify the position of a person holding personal rank of ambassador, who possesses no letters of credential from His Majesty, and is accredited to no foreign Government.

6. Sir Malcolm Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will define the term "per- sonal rank of ambassador"; and whether this rank is recognised in international practice.

Mr. Law

The personal rank of ambassador is one which, subject to the approval of His Majesty, may be conferred upon an individual charged with the representation of this country abroad or with the conduct of negotiations of any kind on behalf of His Majesty's Government, for the purpose of enhancing his status and thus facilitating the performance of his task. The conferring of such personal rank is a common practice.

Mr. Boothby

Does not my right hon. Friend think it rather ridiculous to give a man the personal status and rank of ambassador, and to refuse to recognise the Government to which he is in fact accredited?

Earl Winterton

Can my right hon. Friend publish in a White Paper, and lay it on the Table or in the Library, the instances in which this rank has been conferred in the past? Why is it—if his answer is correct, as no doubt it is—that when His Majesty's Government are represented abroad in most important negotiations, this rank is not conferred?

Mr. Law

I think my Noble Friend did not quite understand the reply I gave just now. I did not say that it was common practice to confer this particular rank; I said it was common practice in these matters to confer personal rank higher than the actual rank of the diplomatic officer concerned.

Mr. Boothby

Has it ever been conferred in the past?

Mr. Law

Personal rank?

Mr. Boothby

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Law

Personal rank has been conferred in the past. I would not be sure of personal rank of ambassador, but certainly there must be many instances of a counsellor with the personal rank of a minister.

7. Sir M. Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Provisional Government of France grants to the right hon. Member for the St. George's Division (Mr. Duff Cooper) the privileges, immunities and precedence usually accorded to fully accredited ambassadors.

Mr. Law

Yes, Sir, so far as I am aware.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

May I ask if we grant the same privileges and immunities to M. Massigli in London?

Mr. Law

This Question refers to my right hon. Friend the Member for St. George's (Mr. Duff Cooper). I think I shall have to have notice of that further question.