HC Deb 27 January 1943 vol 386 cc472-3
10. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether our treaty relations with Portugal are affected by the recent neutrality agreement between that country and Spain?

Mr. Eden

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to the recent exchange of views at Lisbon between the Portuguese and Spanish Foreign Ministers concerning the strengthening of what was then described as "a Peninsular bloc of mutual friendship and external peace." His Majesty's Government have always been in full sympathy with the desire of the Portuguese and Spanish Governments to prevent the war spreading to the Iberian Peninsula and they do not regard their treaty relations with Portugal as being in any way affected by the recent exchange of views at Lisbon.

Mr. Cocks

Does our ancient Ally tell us beforehand what she proposes to do in the sphere of foreign policy?

Mr. Eden

We were kept fully informed by Portugal of these discussions. They told us what had happened, and we welcome what has happened.

Mr. Hannah

Is our 14th Century Alliance with Portugal still in force?