HC Deb 14 February 1945 vol 408 c193
1. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why his Department continues to describe the capital of Turkey as Angora; and whether he will give instructions that in future it is to be called Ankara, in view of the fact that it has reverted to that name in Turkey since the establishment of the Republic.

The Minister of State (Mr. Richard Law)

It is the practice of the Foreign Office to use "Angora" in documents and communications which are in English, because "Angora" is the conventional Anglicised form of this place-name. In communications in foreign languages, the Foreign Office uses "Ankara."

Mr. Stokes

Is the Minister aware that a good deal of irritation still arises in Turkey from calling the town by the wrong name?

Mr. Law

I must say that I have seen no evidence that this practice does cause irritation.