§ 8. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Prime Minister whether he has now any statement to make on the negotiations at present being carried on with General Franco as to a possible armistice in Spain and on the matter of de facto and de jure recognition of the Spanish insurgent authorities?
9. Mr. Davidsonasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have formulated any list of conditions to be accepted by General Franco as a preliminary to official recognition?
§ Sir J. SimonI have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Members for Lambeth, North (Mr. G. Strauss), Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) and Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker) on 15th February.
§ Mr. ManderIs it not the case that General Franco regards any discussion of negotiations as impertinent on the part of the French and British Governments?
Mr. DavidsonMay I ask whether, with regard to these conversations, the question of compensation to British shipowners, and to the dependants of British sailors, 358 who have been killed, has been raised? May I have an answer on this very important question?
§ Sir J. SimonIf the hon. Gentleman will look at the reply to which I have referred him, he will see that no further statement can be made at the moment.
§ Sir H. CroftDoes not recognition, in fact, depend upon established facts and not upon a set of circumstances; and is it not the case that the Government have no power to formulate conditions concerning a war which they have not yet. recognised?