HC Deb 04 November 1937 vol 328 cc1124-7
Mr. Attlee

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have decided to accord de facto recognition to the Spanish insurgents; if so, when was this decision reached; what precisely does de facto recognition signify; whether the decision was reached in consultation with other Governments, or has been made solely by the British Government; and what steps are being taken to give effect to it?

The Prime Minister

I am glad to have the opportunity of making clear the position referred to in this question. There is no intention on the part of His Majesty's Government to make any variation in the attitude which they have consistently adopted towards the contending parties and which is governed by the international agreement for non-intervention to which they have subscribed. They are, however, bound to take account of their responsibility for the protection of British nationals and British commercial interests throughout the whole of Spain including those large areas in the north, west and south-west parts of the country as well as the Spanish zone of Morocco of which General Franco's forces are now in effective occupation. It has become increasingly evident that the numerous questions affecting British interests in these areas cannot be satisfactorily dealt with by means of the occasional contacts which have hitherto existed. Accordingly, His Majesty's Government have entered upon negotiations for the appointment of agents by them and by General Franco respectively for the discussion of questions affecting British nationals and commercial interests, but these agents will not be given any diplomatic status. This matter is not one which required consultation with other nations, but His Majesty's Government have kept the French Government fully informed.

Mr. Attlee

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any precedent for making such an arrangement when full recognition is accorded to the lawful Government of Spain, which has an Ambassador from this country?

The Prime Minister

I would like notice of that question, but I doubt whether there is any precedent for the exact conditions which we have to meet.

Mr. Attlee

Is not this going beyond what has been done in any previous cases of the sort? Formerly there have been consuls. Is the right hon. Gentleman definitely sending and receiving diplomatic representatives?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. I thought I had made it clear that this is not a question of diplomatic representatives, and that these agents will not have any diplomatic status.

Mr. Gallacher

Has this step any connection with the correspondence which took place between the right hon. Gentleman and Signor Mussolini?

Mr. A. V. Alexander

If no diplomatic status is to be given, is there any truth in the story that the Government contemplate sending Sir Robert Hodgson, who has been a first-class Minister for this country abroad; and is he not to have diplomatic status?

The Prime Minister

No decision has been arrived at yet as to who would act as agents for His Majesty's Government, but I do not think that even the case which the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned would affect what I have said. He would not have diplomatic status.

Mr. Attlee

Does not this, in effect, mean a de facto recognition of the Insurgent Government?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir; I am advised that it makes no difference in the existing situation.

Mr. Attlee

If these representatives are to go to General Franco, is it proposed now that the British Ambassador should go to Barcelona instead of staying at Hendaye?

The Prime Minister

No decision has been taken on that.

Mr. Attlee

Will there be any representative with the lawful Government of Spain?

The Prime Minister

I do not quite understand what the right hon. Gentleman means. There is a representative now.

Mr. Maxton

If these men sent from this country to the insurgent Spaniards are not to have diplomatic status, will they have the ordinary diplomatic privileges and immunities?

The Prime Minister

No, I understand they will not.

Mr. Maxton

Are their lives just at the mercy of chance, and will they have no support from this country in the event of getting into any difficulty?

Sir Archibald Sinclair

Conversely, will the representatives of General Franco in this country have no diplomatic status?

Mr. Attlee

Will the Prime Minister give us any further information if I put a question down again to-morrow, in order to make clear that there is no de facto recognition of General Franco, and that what has been done has been done after full consultation with other Powers interested in the Non-Intervention Agreement?

The Prime Minister

I suggest that the right hon. Gentleman should put his question down for Monday. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will be back then, and will be able to answer and make a full statement.

Mr. Alexander

Do I understand, from what the Prime Minister said with regard to negotiations, that the Government are actually going to enter into an agreement with the Franco Government for the reception of these British agents?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Shinwell

Can we have an assurance that there will be no further change before Monday?

The Prime Minister

Yes, I can give that assurance.

Mr. Gallacher

Is there any step the Government will not take to support General Franco against the legitimate Government in Spain?