HC Deb 14 December 1953 vol 522 cc10-1
16. Sir H. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the appointment of Hubert John Evans, esquire, as Her Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Managua on 31st March was not published in the "London Gazette" till 1st December; and why this information was supplied to the Press on 9th April

Mr. Dodds-Parker

A senior Foreign Service appointment is normally announced in the Press as soon as convenient after the Queen's approval has been obtained. It cannot, however, be promulgated in the "London Gazette" until the Queen's Commission has been prepared and signed. The preparation of Mr. Evans' commission as Her Majesty's Ambassador in Managua was delayed because the change in the Royal Style and Title at that time made it necessary to revise the text of commissions and obtain new stocks of the forms on which commissions are prepared. Some further delay ensued because it is customary to promulgate such appointments in the "London Gazette" collectively, rather than singly as and when made.

The status of Her Majesty's Legation in Managua and that of the Nicaraguan Legation in London were raised to those of embassies on 31st March, 1953. Her Majesty's approval of Mr. Evans' appointment was made known to the Press on 9th April, after agreement with the Nicaraguan Government that the appointment of the first ambassadors should be announced simultaneously in the morning papers of 10th April.

Sir H. Williams

Will my hon. Friend have a look at the "London Gazette" and see the mass of these delayed appointments? Cannot the forms be printed a little quicker than in about eight months?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

If my hon. Friend will study my reply—I hope that he will be able to understand it—and see what I have said there about the Queen's Style and Title, he will realise that some of the delay has been unavoidable.