§ 20. Mr. Martin Lindsayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any change in the policy of His Majesty's Government towards Spain.
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir.
§ Mr. LindsayWithout in any way wishing to condone the very inimical attitude of the Spanish Government towards the Allies during the war, may I ask if it is not a fact that Spain has for long set its face steadfastly against the menace of Russian Communism, with which the rest of the world is now faced, and that we can find much common ground with them on that account?
§ Mr. MayhewThe Spanish Government have long set their face towards Fascism and we therefore find nothing in common with them.
Mr. Wilson HarrisIs it not a fact that the British attitude towards Spain has done more good than harm to Franco, and is it not a fact that we need as much unity as we can get in Europe? If we are to withhold recognition of totalitarian Governments surely we shall have to revise our diplomatic arrangements very considerably?
§ Mr. MayhewI do not agree with those assumptions at all. As a Fascist country Spain is a source of weakness to Western democracy.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeIf we are considering Fascist countries, is it not quite extraordinary that we should be 494 aiding the Germans towards recovery and cold-shouldering a country which gave us positive aid during the war?
§ Major Legge-BourkeCan the Under-Secretary say whether we are to assume from the original reply that the Government have taken no part in the negotiations in which the United States have been indulging during the Recess with regard to the restoration of the Monarchy?
§ Mr. MayhewI am not aware of any negotiations.