HC Deb 09 February 1948 vol 447 c25
36. Mr. Eric Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that he is still adhering to the policy of not admitting Spain to any discussions on Western Europe or the Marshall Plan so long as a totalitarian regime remains in power in Spain.

Mr. McNeil

Yes, Sir.

Mr. E. Fletcher

In view of the recent attitude of the French Government, will my right hon. Friend impress upon the French Government the present policy of His Majesty's Government?

Mr. McNeil

I am sure that that is quite unnecessary.

Sir T. Moore

Why were Russia and her satellite States invited to participate in the discussions?

Mr. J. McKay

Is the Minister aware that there are so many undemocratic countries in Europe today which are allowed to go into the Marshall Plan that, at the present juncture, we seem unbalanced and rather ridiculous in our attitude towards Spain?

Mr. McNeil

I think my hon. Friend will agree that that is not true of the countries participating at the moment.

Mr. Henry Strauss

If all totalitarian countries are to be excluded, can the right hon. Gentleman explain why invitations were sent to Yugoslavia, Roumania and Bulgaria?

Mr. Harold Davies

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the essential differences between Spain and the U.S.S.R. in the last conflict which we had was that the U.S.S.R. had 30 million casualties, including homeless, in her fight against the Nazis in the defence of democracy in Europe?