HC Deb 04 March 1946 vol 420 cc18-9
44. Captain Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the U.S. Note to Britain concerning relations with Spain; and what steps His Majesty's Government is taking, in conjunction with the U.S. and French Governments, to express its detestation of the regime of political terrorism in that country.

40. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recent representations he has received from the French Government regarding joint British-French-American action for the severance of diplomatic relations with the Franco régime; and whether he will make a statement on the action he proposes to take in this matter.

77. Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the French Government has declared that the Spanish dictatorship is a menace to world peace and is proceeding to close the Spanish frontier and to suspend all means of exchange and communication between the two countries; and whether any sympathetic and synchronising action is contemplated by the British Government.

Mr. Noel-Baker

The United States Government have proposed that a joint statement on the Spanish situation should be made by the Governments of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. I hope that such a joint statement will be made in the very early future. The French Government have proposed that the Spanish situation should be submitted to the Security Council of the United Nations. This proposal is also under the active consideration of His Majesty's Government.

Captain Swingler

Can the right hon Gentleman say when he will be in a position to make a statement on the French proposals?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I am afraid I cannot at the moment, but I hope before long.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

May I ask on what grounds the question of internal organisation in Spain is being brought before the Security Council?

Mr. Noel-Baker

That will appear if the French note is published.

Mr. Pickthorn

Are His Majesty's Government considering identical action against every Government where civil liberties are not thought to be safer than they are in Spain?

Mr. Cocks

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a very strong feeling in the Labour Party and the T.U.C. that the British Ambassador in Madrid should be withdrawn, and will he take note of that feeling?