§ 8. Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the position in Tangier?
§ Mr. ButlerI must apologise for the length of this answer; it deals with matters in which the House has shown great interest.
Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid has now concluded his discussions with the Spanish Government about the position of Tangier to which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs referred in his reply to the hon. Members for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) and Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) on 22nd January. It will be recalled that these discussions were undertaken with a view to concluding pending a final settlement a provisional arrangement concerning British rights and interests in the international zone at Tangier which would be without prejudice to the rights of His Majesty's Government and to the rights of third parties under the relevant international instruments. His Majesty's Consul-General at Tangier took part in the discussions at Madrid, and at an early stage delegations of British and Spanish traders in Tangier were invited to Madrid to see the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Industry and Commerce. The delegation of British traders declared themselves well satisfied with their reception in Madrid 496 and with the assurances given to them by the two Spanish Ministers.
The arrangements now concluded safeguard the existing personal rights of British subjects in Tangier, and guarantee the continued functioning of the existing British institutions and of the British Press. British officials of the international administration who have been displaced will be fully compensated for their loss of office. A special economic and financial ré gime will be applied at Tangier generally similar to that which exists at present. An ordinance in general terms was issued by the local Spanish authorities on 6th February which is to be elaborated in greater detail in due course. The Spanish Government have given an assurance that there will be no fortification of the zone. It has also been agreed that, if at any time the Mixed Tribunal should cease to function, the Consular Court will be re-established and fully recognised.
By these arrangements the present economic and legal rights of British subjects in Tangier should be adequately safeguarded pending a final settlement. His Majesty's Government have recognised the special interest of the Spanish Government in the Tangier Zone and also that it is not possible at the moment for the signatories of the relevant international instruments to enter into negotiation. Thus His Majesty's Government maintain their protest against the original action of the Spanish Government and have reserved their rights under the treaties in force. The Spanish Government has similarly reserved their position. In the Debate on 19th December, I stated on behalf of His Majesty's Government that it was clearly in the interests of an independent Spain an a of the United Kingdom that there should be cooperation between our two Governments, but that such co-operation equally clearly depended on the readiness of both parties to make a contribution to it. It is in the spirit of this declaration that His Majesty's Government have now accepted the arrangements concerning Tangier.
Mr. ClocksWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the answer, which I should like to study carefully, I would like to ask whether it was made perfectly clear in this agreement that the present régime in Tangier is regarded as provisional only?
§ Mr. ButlerI said in my answer that the arrangement is a provisional one, and that our rights are reserved under the relevant international instruments.
§ Sir Percy HarrisCould the right hon. Gentleman say who will be responsible in Tangier for watching our interests?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Consul-General, who has done such excellent service throughout the negotiations, will continue his work in Tangier.
§ Mr. ManderCan the right hon. Gentleman say why the British subjects who were wrongfully dismissed without excuse from the administration have not been reinstated rather than merely compensated?
§ Mr. ButlerI think perhaps the hon. Member will wish to study in detail the statement I have made. I would like to say that the compensation terms are generous.