§ 55. Captain Ramsayasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the majority of the parents of the Basque children imported into this country are most anxious for their children to be restored to them; and in view of the fact that, since Bilbao fell into the hands of General Franco, law and order and liberty of worship have been restored, will he take steps to facilitate their repatriation?
§ Sir S. HoareI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Members for South Cardiff (Captain A. Evans) and Finchley (Mr. Crowder) on 28th October. I understand that Sir Holman Gregory's report recommends that all the Spanish children now in Great Britain should be returned to their parents or relatives or guardians as soon as can conveniently be arranged. I am informed that the Basque Children's Committee is proceeding to act on the report, and at its request my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is asking the British Ambassador at Hendaye to approach the Government of General Franco with a view to securing his approval for the return of the children to Bilbao. I hope that a favourable reply may shortly be received.
Mr. DavidsonWill the right hon. Gentleman continue to make certain that any information with regard to these children comes from official sources, and not from the sources which have assisted in the persecution of these children?
Duchess of AthollIs it not the case that, instead of the parents of the great majority of the children having asked for their return, only the parents of 850 children out of 3,800 have done so?
§ Sir S. HoareI am not responsible for the details. All I can say is that after careful and, I gather, impartial inquiry, the Holman Gregory Committee have recommended the repatriation of these children, and I presume they have done so on satisfactory grounds. My own view is that the sooner the children go back to their families the better.
Duchess of AthollIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the committee in the summer stated that it was their policy to return the children to their parents as soon as practicable? Our only anxiety is to see that the children go to their own parents, and are not just landed at Bilbao.
§ Sir S. HoareIf that is so, all the better for everybody concerned. I understand now that everybody is agreed that these children should go back as soon as satisfactory arrangements can be made with their families.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsWill the right hon. Gentleman take care in future to prevent the political exploitation of children in this country, as in this case?