§ 13. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to who was the representative of General Franco in this country who instructed the captain of the Spanish ship "Rita Garcia," held at Immingham pending litigation as to ownership, to get in touch with the British Union of Fascists with a view to providing a crew to take the ship out of the port without observing the customary legal formalities; and whether he will make representations to General Franco that this action contravenes the term, purely commercial, under which an official representative of General Franco was accepted by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. EdenI have no information regarding the instructions given to the captain of this vessel, and therefore, cannot consider representations, but I would, however, point out in this connection that the vessel had been released from arrest at the time of her sailing. There is, therefore, no question of the customary legal formalities not having been observed.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the right hon. Gentleman not prepared to make inquiries, in view of the current opinion, as to whether this agent of Franco is engaging in activities associated with certain people in this country for purposes inimical to the Spanish Government?
§ Mr. EdenAs the hon. Member is aware, this is a very complicated question, in which there are a large number of inquiries to be made from different Departments. Perhaps the hon. Member will put a question down.
§ Mr. GallacherAs none of the Departments seem prepared to make inquiries, will the right hon. Gentleman see that adequate inquiries are made?