COURT OF ST. JAMES'S (ENVOYS)

HC Deb 12 February 1951 vol 484 c33

58. Sir H. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Ambassadors and Ministers, respectively, are accredited to the Court of St. James's.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Thirty-five Ambassadors and 19 Ministers are accredited to the Court of St. James's. Two appointments ordinarily filled by Ambassadors and four by Ministers are vacant.

Sir H. Williams

Can the hon. Gentleman say why we have abandoned the fundamental distinction between these two classes of envoy? Nowadays nearly everybody except the Republic of Andora is represented by an Ambassador.

Mr. Davies

We respect the wishes of foreign Powers, and if they prefer to raise their legations to embassies we accept that.