British Vessel (Seizure) (Hansard, 17 February 1954)

§ 9. Mr. Braine
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British m.v. "Sevro,"which was seized by the Spanish authorities on 26th January last and taken to Algeciras, has now been released; and if he will make a further statement on the circumstances of this case.

§ Mr. Dodds-Parker
This ship remains in the custody of the Spanish authorities on a charge of smuggling. I understand that the verdict of the provincial court at Cadiz will be given on 25th February. We must await the verdict. Meanwhile, I should inform the House that Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at Cadiz was not permitted to attend the trial. Her Majesty's Ambassador has been instructed to raise the matter, since the Vice-Consul had previously been given permission to attend.

§ Mr. Braine
While I welcome the news that a protest has been sent about the discourteous treatment of our Vice-Consul, may I ask whether my hon. Friend is aware that the Spaniards justified their seizure of the vessel in the first instance on the ground that they can take in tow any ship of 100 tons or less in the Straits? As in this case this action constitutes an interference with HerMajesty's mails and a threat to British ships based on Gibraltar, can my hon. Friend say whether the Government will make the strongest possible representations to Madrid at the appropriate time?

§ Mr. Dodds-Parker
I have taken note of what my hon. Friend says, but we must await the final decision about where the ship was.

§ Mr. Beswick
Can the Minister assure us that the Vice-Consul was not kept away from performing his lawful duties by American tanks?

§ Mr. Ernest Davies
Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that the reply which he has had to give in this case, and the reply which he gave to an earlier Question, show the mistaken policy which is being followed towards Franco at present? As long as we allow Franco to take the attitude which he is now taking towards British ships, British subjects, the Protestant Church and the rest, he cannot possibly be accepted into the comity of nations in Europe.

§ Mr. Dodds-Parker
I do not for one moment accept what the hon. Gentleman has said.