HL Deb 13 November 1968 vol 297 cc498-500

2.43 p.m.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, in asking this Question I should like to put it on record that there is nothing personal in it, as I have never met the person concerned.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the critical and hostile public references to the President-Elect of the United States of America attributed to our Ambassador-designate to the United Stales of America, they now intend to review this appointment.]

THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (LORD SHACKLETON)

My Lords, I am not sure whether the noble Lord has yet asked his Question, but the Answer is "No".

LORD CACCIA

My Lords, as an ex-Ambassador in Washington, may I ask two questions, one personal and about the present and the other procedural and about the future? The first is, do not Her Majesty's Government agree that they and the Ambassador-designate will find in Mr. Nixon a man quite big enough to be able to shrug off what was said in different circumstances by the Ambassador-designate in the Press some years ago, and that what Mr. Nixon is much more likely to ask himself is whether the Ambassador-designate is likely to enjoy the confidence of the British Government of the day? The second question is a procedural one and has nothing to do with the personal aspect of this Question, if there is one. It is this. As a general rule would not Her Majesty's Government agree, on procedure, that it is usually better to wait and see what the Government is likely to be before appointing and announcing an Ambassador?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I think the answer to the first question is, "Yes". I should not wish to come between the Ambassador-designate and the President-Elect and I really do not intend to follow the noble Lord, as an ex-head of the Foreign Service and former Ambassador to Washington, into the considerations which must determine the action of the Government in a matter of this kind.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, would not the noble Leader agree that this illustrates the hazard of appointing to a senior diplomatic post, as against a career diplomat, a controversial personality, and particularly in this case one addicted to apparently extravagant or intemperate language?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I must say I think the noble Lord is trespassing on the most dangerous ground. I do not propose to make any points of a Party political or any other kind. I will only say that I should hope that any British Government will always seek to choose the best man for the job.

LORD GLADWYN

My Lords, whilst sympathising with everything the noble Lord, Lord Shackleton, has said, may I ask whether he would not agree that in general it might be said to be a mistake to appoint Ambassadors too long in advance. because, after all, who knows what may happen in the interval before they present their credentials?

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that this is a mischievous Question to cause discord between the elected President and the new Ambassador, and does not this Question come badly from the other side, who vilified Winston Churchill in the 'thirties and acclaimed him a hero in 1942?

LORD GLENDEVON

My Lords, I do not think that any reasonable person could criticise the anxiety that lies be- hind this Question. But is it not a fact that those who know Mr. Freeman, and especially those who saw him at work in India, as I had the pleasure of doing, recognise him as a man of absolute integrity and one outstandingly equipped to represent this country. whatever Government may be in power here?

LORD SHACKLETON

My Lords, I am very much obliged to my noble friend Lord Blyton, and to the noble Lord, Lord Glendevon. I entirely agree with their view. I do not think that this is a very helpful Question. Although this is a free House, in a political sense—and of course it is particularly free to ex-diplomats—there is an argument that if you do not announce these appointments well in advance you then almost certainly stick to the career diplomats. There are times when Governments, of all shades, choose people other than career diplomats for their posts. I think we will leave the matter there.