HC Deb 01 December 1947 vol 445 cc13-4
22. Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received a reply to the Note from the British Chargé d'Affaires protesting to the Spanish Government about the destruction of British property in a raid on an Evangelical Church in Madrid; and whether, in considering the adequacy of any apology, he will take into account the series of recent outrages in Catalonia and Galicia in which places of worship have been desecrated and churchgoers stoned.

25. Sir Ronald Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that attacks have been made upon British Protestant places of worship in Spain; and what steps he is taking to prevent a repetition of these outrages and to secure compensation for the damage done.

Mr. Mayhew

On 26th November the Spanish Government expressed their regret to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Madrid for the destruction of British property in a raid on an Evangelical Church in Madrid, stating that those responsible for the act of desecration would be punished and that all Protestant chapels in Spain would in future be protected against such action. Fines had already been levied on some of those responsible for a similar incident at Infesta in Galicia, and an outrage at Barcelona is at present being investigated by the Civil Governor. The question of a possible claim for damages is under discussion with representatives of the British property owners concerned.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Is the Minister satisfied that the perpetrators of this dastardly deed in Madrid have been suitably punished?

Mr. Mayhew

I think that inquiries are being pursued now. If previous occasions are any precedent, I think we can hope that justice will be done.

Sir Patrick Hannon

Is it not a fact that these very deplorable incidents have happened through the action of Catholic hooligans who are not really part and parcel of the decent Spanish people at all; and will the Minister see that every investigation is made to bring these people to understand that there is no sympathy in this country for that sort of action?

Mr. Mayhew

I agree that whoever performed these incidents, they are quite outrageous.

Sir R. Ross

Will the British Government support the application for adequate compensation to the religious bodies who have suffered from these outrages?

Mr. Mayhew

Yes, Sir. We are discussing that with them at the moment.

Mr. Stokes

I have no sympathy with what has happened, but may I ask my hon. Friend, arising from Question No. 25, whether we are to expect a delegation from Northern Ireland to go to Spain shortly to teach the Spaniards religious tolerance?