HC Deb 02 April 1941 vol 370 cc974-5
13. Mr. Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish the text of the provisional agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government on Tangier as a White Paper?

Mr. Butler

The substance of the agreement was given in the full statement which I made on 26th February. As the agreement was of an interim character, and as there is nothing substantial to add to the information already in the possession of the House, I do not think it is necessary to lay a White Paper.

Mr. Cocks

Is it not necessary that Members of this House should be acquainted with the actual text, and will a copy be placed in the Library?

Mr. Butler

As I have told the hon. Member and the House, all the substantial points of the agreement, with the exception of certain detailed definitions of British rights and so forth, were announced in the statement I made. Therefore, the House is in possession of all the material which I think it desires. As this is an interim agreement, I do not think it is necessary to go further than that.

Mr. Cocks

Did not the question last week show confusion in the interpretation of the agreement?

Mr. Butler

I do not think there was any confusion about the position of the Mendoub.

Mr. Mander

Is it not the case that, since then, German infiltration is taking place in Tangier and the British Government are doing nothing to stop it?

Mr. Butler

I have informed the House that the British Government have no right to dispute the establishment of Consular representatives of other Powers in the Tangier zone. I am afraid we can do nothing about it.