HC Deb 30 July 1941 vol 373 cc1377-8
3. Captain John Dugdale

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make about the relations of His Majesty's Government with Mexico?

Mr. Eden

The position remains as described in the Reply given on 2nd April last to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne).

Captain Dugdale

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is so difficult to establish relations with a neutral country, when apparently we are able to continue relations with a country such as Finland which has definitely been fighting our Ally?

Mr. Eden

The last part of the supplementary Question is not correct. As regards the first, the position is clear. In 1938 Mexico expropriated the oil companies, and hitherto no suggestion of a fair or equitable settlement has been made to us by the Mexican Government.

Mr. Mander

Are the British Government working in close association with the United States Government on this subject, and have not the United States Government now come to some arrangement?

Mr. Eden

If the Mexican Government are prepared to make any approach to the matter, we shall be prepared to examine it.

Mr. Mander

My question was with regard to the United States.

Mr. Lipson

Have His Majesty's Government made any approach to the Mexican Government?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is it not desirable that His Majesty's Government should reestablish relations with Mexico?