HC Deb 29 October 1952 vol 505 cc1933-4
Mr. Nutting

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I should like to correct an error in the replies I gave to supplementary questions on 22nd October about the export of arms to Spain.

I stated that the lifting of the ban on the export of arms would apply only to "common-use" material and would not apply to specifically military material. The position is, in fact, as stated by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State when he said on 7th July 1952: Her Majesty's Government have … decided, where this is desirable on economic grounds, to lift the ban on the export of "common-use" material, that is to say, material which can be used for either civilian or military purposes, and of obsolescent war material, where such material is surplus to our own requirements and those of customers such as the Commonwealth and N.A.T.O. countries."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 7th July, 1952; Vol. 503, c. 884–5.] As I stated in my reply to the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Dr. Jeger) on 22nd October, however, only "common-use" material has in fact been sent up to the present.

I should like to take this opportunity to apologise through you, Mr. Speaker, for having thus inadvertently misled the House.

Mr. Ernest Davies

While appreciating that slips are made in reply to supplementary questions, may I ask the hon. Gentleman, in view of the uncertainty apparently in his mind when he gave that reply, whether the Government will consider now abandoning this policy of appeasing Franco, which is bringing little gain to this country economically and causing us loss of prestige abroad?

Mr. Nutting

It is early days to say what economic gain will be acquired. We hope that considerable gain will be.

Mr. J. Hynd

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when he gave his original answer, a great many Members felt reassured, but now his answer, of course, shows he is at variance on a matter of very important policy with his right hon. Friend, and in view of this different policy, will he make an early announcement of his position, and bear in mind what was done by the Foreign Secretary in a similar matter affecting Spain a few years ago?

Mr. Nutting

I had hoped that the statement today would clear up any misunderstanding, and I think that if the hon. Gentleman reads it in HANSARD tomorrow he will agree with me.

Mr. G. Jeger

Does not this statement that the hon. Gentleman has made reveal the hopeless muddle in which the Foreign Office is on this matter, since it not only confuses the correct answer to the Question but confuses my constituency with another? I am the hon. Member for Goole and I asked the supplementary question referred to.

Mr. Nutting

I apologise if I created any muddle. I am solely responsible.