HC Deb 12 March 1940 vol 358 cc1008-9
64. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister of Economic Warfare whether he can give information about the approximate size of the staff of the H.I.S.M.A. and other German or German-controlled trade organisations in Spain, and the nature of their activities?

Mr. Cross

Hisma, as the hon. Member will be aware, is a semi-official German-Spanish trading company, formed before the war to act as agent for purchases of Spanish goods on German account and for sales of German goods to Spain. There are also, of course, a number of German organisations engaged in such activities as transport and the manufacture and sale of goods. I am unable to give an estimate of the size of the staff of the latter or of Hisma and its subsidiaries. A number of these have been closed down since the outbreak of war.

Mr. Mander

Is not this body actually carrying on anti-British propaganda in Spain?

Mr. Cross

I cannot answer about propaganda.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Can my hon. Friend say what the "H.I.S.M.A.", etc., is?