HC Deb 01 April 1953 vol 513 cc1190-1
15. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what quantities and values of war material have been exported to Spain during the past year.

Mr. Nutting

Since my reply to the hon. Member on 22nd October, 1952, military material to the value of some £ 2,500 has been sent to Spain from the United Kingdom. In the category of common-use items," four Bristol freighter aircraft for civil purposes have been exported to Spain at a value of approximately £ 300,000. Licences have also been approved for the export of a quantity of wireless receivers and transmitters for aircraft and for 15 items of marine radar at a value of approximately £ 40,000.

Mr. Jeger

In view of the almost derisory amount of material that has been sent, does the Joint Under-Secretary think that this gesture of appeasement and. wooing of Fascist Franco was really worth while?

Mr. Nutting

There is no question of appeasement or wooing. The export of these materials has been immensely beneficial in two ways. The first is that it has helped United Kingdom firms which are generally concerned with exports of many other kinds to maintain a position in the Spanish market, and it has also been to our advantage to dispose of this material, for a good deal of which Spain is almost our only market.

Mr. Ernest Davies

How can the hon. Gentleman say that when the amount is so small? Does the hon. Gentleman recall that when I raised this matter on the Adjournment six months ago, he justified this change of policy on economic grounds? Would he not agree that the political loss has not been compensated by material gain?

Mr. Nutting

I would not agree with the hon. Gentleman's conclusion at all. This may well develop into a valuable market, and we wish to get a foot in it.