HC Deb 14 May 1956 vol 552 cc1637-8
23. Mr. Hyde

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to obtain restitution or compensation from the Spanish Government for the recent seizure by officials of its Ministry of Information of 36,189 volumes of the New Testament and some books of the Old Testament belonging to the British and Foreign Bible Society in Madrid.

9. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid following the seizure of copies of the New Testament and other books from the British and Foreign Bible Society's premises.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I have nothing at present to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. de Freitas) on 7th May, that the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been requested to investigate the matter with a view to the restoration of the property seized.

Mr. Hyde

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is not the first time the property of the British and Foreign Bible Society has been confiscated without a shadow of justification? In addition to looking into the question of compensation, would he try to obtain some assurance from the Spanish Government that they will not commit unfriendly acts of this kind in the future?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I will certainly bear in mind what my hon. Friend says, when we see what the reply of the Spanish Ministry is.