§ Captain TERRELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many foreign Powers have, since the War, suggested the raising of the status of their respective Ministers in this country to that of ambassadors; what answer has been returned in each case; and what have been the reasons actuating each decision?
§ Mr. PONSONBYWith the exception of the Chinese Government no foreign Government has, since the War, made a suggestion of the nature indicated by the hon. and gallant Member. The proposal that the legations at Rio de Janeiro, Brussels and Lisbon should be raised to embassies emanated in the first instance from His Majesty's Government. As stated in the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member on the 4th of August, considerations of size, population and trade relations were all taken into account by His Majesty's Government in these three cases, as well as the part played by Brazil, Belgium and Portugal during the War. As regards Peking, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Epping (Sir L. Lyle) on the 4th of August.