HC Deb 22 June 1949 vol 466 cc188-90
15. Mr. Stokes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a recent official claim by General Franco that promises had been made him during the war by the Allied leaders that Spain would acquire territory in North Africa at the expense of France on the cessation of hostilities; and if he has any statement to make.

Mr. Bevin

Yes, Sir; and my information shows that the claim is unfounded.

Mr. Stokes

Arising out of that reply, and in view of the fact that we have already been made aware of two secret treaties, although we were assured that none such existed, may we have an assurance from my right hon. Friend that the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill) did not enter into any other secret negotiations of which this House has not been made aware?

Air-Commodore Harvey

Nonsense.

Mr. Stokes

Can I have an answer?

Mr. Bevin

I have given the answer to the Question put to me, and I have no reason to suppose anything in the archives of the Foreign Office exists in this respect. So far as I know there is nothing.

Mr. Eden

As a charge has been made against my right hon. Friend——

Mr. Stokes

And against the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Eden), too.

Mr. Eden

It is difficult to keep oneself in Order in asking questions on this matter, since the right hon. Gentleman was also a member of the Coalition Government, but may I say that so far as my right hon. Friend and I myself are concerned no such commitment as here described was ever entered into?

Mr. Platts-Mills

Would my right hon. Friend care to consult with the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Warwick and Leamington as to whether there was not a conversation at lunch on 2nd October, 1941, in the terms reported by the Duke of Alba, the then Ambassador, in his telegram of that date, and whether that was not susceptible to the construction that we were offering to support Franco in his claim to French territory?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Gentleman cannot ask a question of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Warwick and Leamington, but only of the Foreign Secretary.

Mr. Eden

Since my Leader's reputation has been impugned, may I ask the Foreign Secretary whether there is anything in the records whatever to give any justification to the statements of the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes)?

Mr. Bevin

Nothing whatever.

Mr. Stokes rose

——

Hon. Members

Withdraw.

Mr. Stokes

In view of the fact—it is within your recollection, Sir—that I was prevented from raising this matter on another occasion earlier, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it again on a suitable occasion.

Hon. Members

Withdraw.

Mr. Stokes

Certainly not.