§ 26. Mr. Pavittasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish a White Paper giving details of the help given by Spanish refugees in France during the last war in smuggling British airmen out of France.
§ Mr. GodberNo, Sir.
§ Mr. PavittIs the Minister aware that whilst Franco was sending soldiers to help Hitler, democratic Spanish refugees were risking their lives in Gestapo-ridden France, particularly at Perpignan, to help Britain? Is not the Foreign Secretary's recent action a gross betrayal of people who no longer have anything to offer us, in order to curry favour with a Fascist dictator?
§ Mr. GodberWhilst accepting that help was given in certain circumstances, the reason why my original answer was 944 "No" was that I am advised that insufficient records exist for that purpose. As for the hon. Member's supplementary question, I do not think that extravagant statements like that are helpful. In the interests of Europe and the world, it is better that we should seek to maintain relations with countries whether they be of extreme Right-wing character or whether they be Communist.