HC Deb 29 June 1960 vol 625 cc1365-8
12 and 14. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) why he has invited the Foreign Minister of Spain to the United Kingdom; and

(2) what proposals he has for the admission of Spain to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

20. Mr. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the impending visit of the Spanish Foreign Minister, and the matters to be discussed.

25. Mr. R. Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the nature of the business to be discussed with the Foreign Minister of Spanish Affairs; and whether the possibility of Spain entering into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will be a matter for discussion.

27. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements he has made for the visit of the Spanish Foreign Minister to Great Britain; what is the purpose of this visit; and what representations and protests he has received in this connection.

28. Mr. Mendelson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what recent proposals have been received, and from which Governments, to admit Spain to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The purpose of the Spanish Foreign Minister's visit and my reason for inviting him is to improve our relations with Spain. I shall discuss with him the international situation but it will not be the occasion for formal negotiations. The question of Spanish membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has not arisen.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that the overwhelming mass of the British people of all political parties—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—despite the shouts from the benches behind him, are very unhappy indeed about this visit and its implications? Will he take this opportunity of denying that there is any prospect of any defence arrangements being entered into between this country and Spain, and any question of Spain being admitted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation?

Mr. Lloyd

I ask hon. and right hon. Members opposite to think very carefully about this matter. I do not think that it is wise to make internal systems or policies the test according to which we try to improve relations with a country. Secondly, we have had relations with the Spanish people; sometimes we have been enemies and sometimes we have been friends. We have many common interests. For instance, 350,000 British people went to Spain for their holidays last year. It seems quite reasonable to try to improve relations with that country. Thirdly, Señor Castiella will be coming as the guest of this country.

Mr. Jeger

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that Señor Castiella is notorious for his anti-British views, that he was decorated by Hitler personally and that in 1951 his record was so bad that the Government of that day refused to accept him in this country as an ambassador? If he is to receive Señor Castiella, will he discuss with him the ferocious and barbarous military trials which continue to take place inside Spain and which are consistently reported in The Times, the last report being as recent as 22nd June?

Mr. Lloyd

I cannot intervene in what are internal Spanish matters. I met Señor Castiella when he came to this country last year. I did not find him anti-British. The incidents to which the hon. Member has referred happened many years ago. He is now Foreign Minister of Spain, and I intend to do the best I can to improve our relations with his country.

Mr. Longden

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that what the mass of the British people really wonder about are why some hon. Members opposite strain at the Spanish gnat while they are perfectly willing to swallow the Russian and Chinese camels whole?

Mr. Lloyd

Mention has been made of the deep feeling about this matter. I have had one letter of protest against the visit—on the ground that Señor Castiella represents a Roman Catholic country.

Mr. R. Edwards

Is the Foreign Secretary aware that Mr. Herter, giving evidence before the United States Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that it was his opinion that Spain should be in N.A.T.O.? Is he further aware that the Foreign Secretary of Spain made a speech at Georgetown University in March this year in which he boasted of his military adventures on behalf of Hitler? Is he aware that in his written speech it is stated that he considered that Spain was still technically at war with the Soviet Union? Will the Foreign Secretary also bear in mind that the American trade union movement has placed on record its opposition to Mr. Herter's statement, and that this is the view of the whole trade union movement of the Western world? [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] If the Government want to weaken N.A.T.O., the best way of so doing is to have any military alliance with Spain.

Mr. Lloyd

I said quite clearly in my original Answer that the question of Spain joining N.A.T.O. has not arisen and that Señor Castiella is not coming here for formal negotiations. The hon. Member seems to want me to take responsibility for the statements of a number of people for whom I am not responsible. I repeat that whatever is thought of the social system and of the interial policies of another country, that is not a reason why one should not seek to improve relations with it.

Mr. Mendelson

Is the Foreign Secretary further aware that at a meeting at Mérida, on the Spanish-Portuguese frontier, between Premier Salazar and General Franco on 21st and 22nd June, decisions were made to use the tragic atmosphere after the collapse of the Summit meeting for pushing the entry of Spain into N.A.T.O. and that Portugal and Spain intend to put these proposals to the British Government quite soon and hope to exert pressure for their acceptance? Will he take this opportunity to give the House an assurance that the British Government will resist any such pressure and any such proposals? Will he further affirm that—[Interruption.]—Spain is not to be admitted to an alliance of countries which are supposed to be dedicated to the defence of democracy and political freedom?

Mr. Speaker

It is perhaps convenient at this point that I should remind the House that questions giving information are out of order. Some questions nowadays seem to give a lot of information.

Mr. Lloyd

I repeat my original Answer about this visit. As for, the future, I told the House in March that I certainly would not give any undertaking of that sort. We shall have to judge any such proposals in the conditions when they are made.

Mr. Healey

Has the Foreign Secretary read the text of the North Atlantic Treaty? If he has, is he aware that the Preamble specifically excludes Spain from qualification for membership? If the aim of the visit is to improve understanding between the two countries, will he inform the Spanish Foreign Minister that any Spanish application will be opposed by the British Government, not only on the ground that it is inconsistent with the Treaty, but also because it is profoundly repugnant to the overwhelming majority of the British people?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not believe that the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's statement is correct. On the former part, in any examination of a proposal of this sort, if and when it should be made, the terms of the Treaty would have to be considered.

Forward to