HC Deb 30 May 1945 vol 411 c196
16. Commander Locker-Lampson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make regarding the French Committee's request that Franco should be removed; and if he has consulted with our Allies on this subject.

Mr. Eden

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to certain recommendations which, according to reports appearing in the Press, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Consultative Assembly recently made to the French Provisional Government inviting the latter to make an approach to the Allied Governments in connection with Spanish affairs. No communication has been received from the French authorities on the subject, and consequently the reply to both parts of the Question is in the negative.

Mr. John Dugdale

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the substitution of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Aberdare (Mr. George Hall) by the noble Lord the Member for Lanark (Lord Dunglass) as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will give great pleasure to General Franco in view of that gentleman's well-known—[Interruption.]

Mr. Eden

I really do not think that is a justified comment on this Question. I would only say that the responsibility for foreign affairs does not lie with any Under-secretary, however distinguished, but with the Foreign Secretary acting in conjunction with his colleagues in the Cabinet.