73. Mr. ROY WILSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the recent action of the Spanish Government 846 in prohibiting the importation of foreign wheat and flour into the Canary Islands; if he is aware that their action is a serious matter for English merchants and flour millers who, for over 25 years, have been regular shippers to the Canary Islands; and if, in view of the large amount of fruit and wine imported into this country from Spain, he will endeavour to persuade the Spanish Government to reconsider its decision?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONYes, Sir. The matter has been under consideration since last December, and as a result of representations made on the instructions of my right hon. Friend by His Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid, certain concessions have been obtained for the shippers. The action of the Spanish Government is, however, part of a general policy, and I fear that there is no possibility of securing the cancellation of the prohibition for the present. It seems possible, however, that the prohibition may not be maintained for very long.