HC Deb 07 March 1960 vol 619 cc26-7
32. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will oppose the admission to, or association with, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation or Western European Union of the Spanish Government, either as a condition for granting Germany firing range, storage, etc., facilities in Spain or for any other purpose.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

No, Sir. Membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the Western European Union, or association with them, is a matter for all the member Governments not just for Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Zilliacus

Can the Foreign Secretary give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will vote against any such proposal? We have our responsibility, and in fact we have a veto power on it. Does he propose to use it?

Mr. Lloyd

I am certainly not going to make any such declaration in advance. We will judge any such application or suggestion from the point of view of military necessity and political wisdom. I can promise the hon. Gentleman that, but I am not going to specify in advance what particular action we shall take.

Sir T. Moore

Can we not keep a sense of balance on this matter? Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that it was this country—Spain— through its leader General Franco which resisted the blandishments and threats of Hitler and thereby saved the Mediterranean for the Allies and made the North African invasion possible and successful?

Mr, Lloyd

I think that my hon. Friend is quite right in saying that the arguments are not all on one side.

Mr. Healey

I put this question quite seriously to the Foreign Secretary. Is he aware that the admission of Spain to either N.A.T.O. or Western European Union would, in the view of an overwhelming number of people in this country and outside, destroy the political validity of those organisations?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not accept what the hon. Gentleman says. It would be very foolish for anyone holding my position to say that in perpetuity he is going to exercise a veto on an application by a particular country.

NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS REPORTED TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE
— 1958 1959 (provisional figures)
January-September Whole Year January-September Whole Year
Accidents Accidents Deaths Accidents Accidents Deaths
Building operations 11,155 15,017 207 11,198 15,435 171
Works of engineering construction 1,675 2,329 51 2,122 2,886 41
The figures for deaths are included in the number of accidents for the whole year.
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