§ 10. Sir Herbert Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make about the economic and social situation in Tangier.
§ Mr. EdenThe economic situation at Tangier has, unfortunately, been seriously affected by war-time developments, which have included inter alia the suspension of the important tourist traffic, rapid fluctuations in the rates of exchange, and a fall in imports into the Zone. There has been a sharp rise in the cost of living, from which British subjects, like many other 1329 inhabitants of the Zone, have suffered. The rights of His Majesty's Government and of British subjects in the Tangier Zone were safeguarded by the modus vivendi negotiated with the Spanish Government at the end of 1940, and I trust that Tangier will benefit from the general improvement in world economic conditions which should result from the forthcoming victory of the United Nations.
§ Sir H. WilliamsDoes my right horn Friend not think it time that, we reasserted our rights in Tangier, and did away with the illegal Government now prevailing there?
§ Mr. EdenOur rights are safeguarded. As to what the future will be, I should-not like to determine it here and now.