§ 7. Colonel Wedgwoodasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the representative of General Franco in Great Britain has yet been appointed; and, if so, who is it to be?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)Yes, Sir. The Duke of Alba and Berwick has been appointed by General Franco to be his agent in the United Kingdom.
§ Colonel WedgwoodIf we are to have the Duke of Alba representing General Franco in this country, might I ask whether our representative at Hendaye is a Protestant?
§ Colonel WedgwoodHas the Duke of Alba not a certain connection with religion in history?
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs there to be any commercial representation?
§ Mr. EdenYes; he is to be accompanied by a commercial expert. I think the House will recollect that the Duke of Alba was a very good friend of this country during the War.
§ 14. Mr. Donnerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in how many cases the assets of companies wholly or partially British-owned and/or managed, trading in territory under the control of the Valencia Government, including Catalonia, have been confiscated since the outbreak of civil war in Spain; whether any representations have been made by His Majesty's Government in this connection in order to safeguard British 5 interests; the number and dates of such protests or representations; and the nature of the replies, if any, received?
§ Mr. EdenThere have been a very large number of cases of interference with such assets, of which it would be impossible for me to give full particulars in an answer to a question. Over and above the representations which have been made by His Majesty's Government to the responsible Spanish authorities in specific cases, protests in general terms against the Catalan collectivisation decree were made by His Majesty's Consul-General at Barcelona to the Catalan Generality in November, 1936, and again in May and in September, 1937, while His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Madrid entered a formal protest with the Spanish Government in January last, stating at the same time that His Majesty's Government reserved all their rights in the matter. The representations which His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular officers in Spain have made on my instructions to the Spanish Government authorities have not so far resulted in a satisfactory settlement of the matters at issue.
§ Mr. DonnerIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that British interests are properly safeguarded now in Eastern Spain until such time as the country is liberated by General Franco?
§ Mr. George GriffithsCan the Foreign Secretary tell us whether Franco has paid his debts yet?
§ 15. Sir John Mellorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the substantial interest of British and Canadian investors in the Barcelona Traction Light and Power Company, Limited, he has made, or is prepared to make, representations to the Spanish authorities controlling the areas in which the company operates, with a view to protecting its assets?
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir. In September, 1936, when intervention by the workers committee in the affairs of the company first took place, I instructed His Majesty's Consul-General at Barcelona to request the Catalan Generality to withdraw the measure in question. Since these representations, although subsequently renewed on my instructions, did not have the effect desired, a protest was addressed during the same month by His Majesty's 6 Chargé d'Affaires at Madrid to the Spanish Government. The position has recently been reviewed, and a week ago I sent telegraphic instructions to His Majesty's Consul-General at Barcelona to present a third request to the Catalan Generality for the restitution of the company to its lawful owners.
Duchess of AthollIs it not the case that although there has been undoubtedly this interference by unofficial bodies, no confiscation has been carried out by the Spanish Government, or recognised by them, and that they have indicated that they are prepared to consider compensation?
§ Mr. EdenI think it is true that foreign undertakings may be expropriated—of course, for adequate reasons; but my information is that while the Catalan Decree contains provisions for compensation, no Government compensation has, in fact, been paid.
§ 17. Mr. Marcus Samuelasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what conditions passports have been granted to the Leader of the Opposition, to the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker) and to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Miss Wilkinson) to visit Spain; is their mission that of journalists or business men, or were they granted passports as a result of an invitation of the Valencia Government?
§ Mr. EdenThe visit is being paid at the invitation of the Spanish Government. All members of the delegation have signed the usual undertaking not to take part, as long as they are in Spain, in any activities liable to be interpreted as inconsistent with His Majesty's Government's policy of non-intervention.
§ Mr. SamuelDoes the Foreign Secretary agree that it is unfortunate that the right hon. Gentleman should not go to both sides in Spain?
§ Mr. GreenwoodIs it not equally unfortunate that Members on the other side of the House have visited only one side in Spain?