HC Deb 27 January 1958 vol 581 cc5-6
4. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what political and military arrangements exist between Her Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government in connection with the defence of Western Europe.

Mr. Ian Harvey

None, Sir.

Mr. Swingler

In that case, would the Joint Under-Secretary of State explain why confidential information about N.A.T.O. discussions is being revealed to General Franco? Is it with Her Majesty's Government's consent that General Franco is being consulted and is being given confidential information?

Mr. Harvey

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the statements made by Mr. Dulles, which are the subject of other Questions this afternoon. There is no evidence that any confidential information was conveyed.

29. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he gave prior consent to the United States Government to divulge confidential information concerning British defence matters to the Spanish Government.

Mr. Ian Harvey

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the conversation which Mr. Dulles had with General Franco after the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Ministerial meeting in December.

I have no reason to suppose that confidential information of the sort to which the hon. Member refers was divulged in that conversation. The question of my right hon. and learned Friend's consent being either asked or given did not arise.

Mr. Allaun

If the information was not confidential, why did Mr. Dulles in the United Nations Embassy Bulletin of 24th December imply that it was? Further, why should it be necessary to tell General Franco privately what he could have earlier read in the Press? Does not this latest diplomatic blunder by Mr. Dulles call for some protest by our Government to Washington?

Mr. Harvey

I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's inference that the conversation was confidential or that information which should not be passed was passed. I would draw his attention to the fact that the United States of America and Spain have certain military arrangements, which Mr. Dulles is perfectly entitled to discuss.

Mr. Bevan

Is it not a fact that Mr. Dulles visited General Franco in the latter's capacity as a pillar of the free world?

Mr. Harvey

That may be so, but it does not seem to me in any way to affect the answer I have given.