HC Deb 06 December 1944 vol 406 cc496-7
14. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what assaults have been made in recent months by members of the Falange on employees of the British Embassy or Consulates in Spain.

Mr. Eden

The most recent case occurred on 7th October, when two Spanish messenger boys employed at His Majesty's Consulate-General at Barcelona were assaulted by members of the Falange and forcibly prevented from delivering correspondence entrusted to them. His Majesty's Embassy at Madrid delivered a strong protest to the Spanish Government and there have been no such cases since.

Mr. Strauss

May I ask the Foreign Secretary whether, in fact, this incident has only been one of very many similar ones in different parts of Spain; and, in view of the fact that General Franco is head of the Falange, will a more direct protest be made to him, and will the right hon. Gentleman make some statement very different from that made recently by the Prime Minister about him?

Mr. Eden

I do not think it would be true to say that there were very many. There was one, in my recollection, some little time before, but there have been none since the vigorous protest made on 7th October.

Mr. Martin

Were any criminal proceedings taken against the parties?

Mr. Eden

No, Sir. I do not know that they have been identified.

Mr. Gallacher

May we take it that the Government have the full support of the Falange for their policy in Greece?

Mr. Ivor Thomas

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether British protests are published in the Spanish Press and so made known to the Spanish people?

Mr. Eden

I would like to have notice of that. There has been an improvement in the Spanish Press recently.