§ 30. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what applications for the purchase of modern military equipment have been received from Spain; and what action has been taken thereon.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI assume that the hon. Member has in mind equipment which would not have been permitted to be exported before the relaxation in Her Majesty's Government's policy announced on 14th December last. No actual applications for such equipment have yet been received.
§ Mr. DaviesSince no applications have been received, why did the Government decide to lift the ban in this case? What was the point of making this gesture towards Franco without getting anything in return, and for no apparent purpose?
§ Mr. LloydAs I told the hon. Member on a prevous occasion, this is not a question of a gesture towards Franco but of being guided by commercial considerations.
§ Mr. DaviesHow can there be any commercial considerations if no applications have been made?
§ Mr. LloydThe hon. Member took quite the same view with regard to a previous class of export. As I told him, something like £1,300,000 worth were sold in that case. As it is only two months since this relaxation was announced, it is much too early to judge.
Mr. SmithersDoes my right hon. and learned Friend agree that these repeated attacks on the Government of Spain greatly strengthen their position in Spain?