§ 7. Mr. MATTERSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement on the question of British official recognition of the provisional Government of the Republic of Spain?
Mr. A. HENDERSONHis Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have been in communication with His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions, and I am now able to inform the House that, with the full concurrence of all His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions, His Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid has been instructed to recognise officially the new Government in Spain.
§ Mr. MATTERSMay I ask whether this decision has been communicated formally to the Governments of other friendly Powers, who may or may not have yet recognised the Republic of regenerated Spain?
Mr. HENDERSONIt has not been communicated, except through the Press, only in the way I have indicated through our own Ministers.
§ Mr. MATTERSMay I ask whether this decison means that Don Alphonso, the Bourbon, no longer holds any official status?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEMay I ask why in communicating the concurrence of various Dominions the Dominion of Newfoundland was left out.
§ Mr. SMITHERSMay I ask whether the position will be reviewed after the elections which are due to take place in June?