§ 57. Mr. O. LEWISasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any further statement to make as to the condition of affairs in Spain and, in particular, if he has any information as to measures taken to protect the lives and property of British subjects in that country?
Mr. A. HENDERSONThe situation remains calm, and the Government have found it possible to raise martial law in some of the districts where it was recently declared. A sharp fall in the value of the peseta, however, which the rigorous enforcement of a series of measures of control has only partially checked, is causing general uneasiness. The Government are proposing to hold the general elections about the 21st of June. His Majesty's Government have no reason to suppose that the lives of British subjects in Spain have been exposed to any danger. The only case of damage to property so far reported has been that referred to in the answers to questions by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 18th of May, and the hon. Member for Finchley (Mr. Cadogan) on the 20th of May. The Spanish Government are fully aware of the importance of protecting the lives and property of foreign subjects.