HC Deb 09 March 1959 vol 601 c853
2. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why it is proposed to send British troops to Lisbon in May.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Robert Allan)

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Thurrock (Mr. Delargy) on 19th February.

Mr. Skeffington

I do not know what that reply was. Is the Minister aware that there is a good deal of public disquiet in this country about, to mention one point, the violent treatment of the opposition candidate and his supporters in the Presidential election? Does he not believe that the presence of British troops in Lisbon may be used by the Portuguese Government as an indication of British support, which I believe would be quite contrary to general public opinion in this country?

Mr. Allan

It is absurd to think that the presence of under 300 British troops, a large proportion of whom are bandsmen or P.T. instructors, will cause any concern. Our main object is to see that this British Trade Fair is a success.