§ 13. Mr. Fletcherasked the Lord Privy Seal what discussions he has had with the Governor of Alicante, who is now on a visit to this country as the guest of Her Majesty's Government, regarding the suppression of religious liberty in Spain as affecting British Protestants in that country.
§ Mr. P. ThomasNo approach was made to the Governor of Alicante while he was here.
§ Mr. FletcherMay I ask why not? Is not the Minister aware that the congregation of the Spanish Evangelical Church in Alicante has been seeking for 12 months to use its church, which was built with Government permission, and that the only consent now required is that of the Governor; and that it is conduct of this kind which makes it diffi- 426 cult to regard Spain as a civilised country?
§ Mr. ThomasYes, Sir. I think that the church mentioned by the hon. Gentleman is a Spanish institution and therefore Her Majesty's Government have no right to intervene. Where British interests and subjects are involved, we make representations to the appropriate Spanish authorities. There have been no cases recently.