Oral Answers to Questions — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 13 Hydref 1969.
Mr William Van Straubenzee
, Wokingham
12:00,
13 Hydref 1969
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government was formally represented at the swearing-in of the Prince of Spain.
Mr Michael Maitland Stewart
, Fulham
There was no formal representation since there were no formal invitations to this ceremony. Our Ambassador was present in the Diplomatic Gallery.
Mr William Van Straubenzee
, Wokingham
Would the right hon. Gentleman care to reflect that, despite the delicate nature of present relations—about which no one could feel more strongly than I—there may be advantage in a moderating influence by a possible future Head of State in Spain who, after all, has the advantage of having an English grandmother?
Mr Michael Maitland Stewart
, Fulham
I think that goes a little further than the Question. I am sure that what our Ambassador did on this occasion was right.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
