HC Deb 28 May 1962 vol 660 cc963-4
27. Mr. C. Pannell

asked the Lord Privy Seal why Her Majesty's Government have not reappointed a labour attaché in Spain.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Peter Thomas)

The posting of labour attachés is kept under review to ensure that they are posted to the countries where, at different times, they can do work of most value. A general review was made in 1960 and it was decided that the post at Madrid, which had become vacant in 1959, should not be filled.

Mr. Pannell

I cannot believe that the hon. Gentleman is as silly as the Answer which he has given would indicate. Is he not aware that if there is any place in the world today where we should have a labour attaché it is in Madrid? Will he indicate that this thought has got across to the Foreign Office, bearing in mind the consequences likely to take place in Spain arising from the difficulties, particularly with regard to the trade union movement, likely to take place there?

Mr. Thomas

As I said in the Answer, these questions are kept under review, and we shall continue to do so. At present, we are not proposing to reopen this post in Madrid.

Mr. H. Wilson

Is the Foreign Office aware that very considerable ferment is now taking place in Spain, with possible historical and important decisions perhaps within the next few months, after a long period of reaction in that country? As he knows, it is only through the medium of a labour attaché that we can have any contact at all with the Spanish people, as opposed to the Spanish dictatorship, and if this was done just to save a few hundred pounds, will he get his noble Friend to approach the Treasury with a view to getting this economy rescinded and a labour attaché appointed right away?

Mr. Thomas

We are certainly aware of what is happening in Spain at the moment. The reason that it was decided not to have a labour attaché in Madrid is because he was not allowed to have any contact at all with the elements to which the hon. Gentleman referred.

Mr. Mayhew

Will the hon. Gentleman state the other countries where a labour attaché is more needed than in Spain? Will he state in the report what attachés there are and their posts?

Mr. Thomas

I shall give the hon. Gentleman a list of the countries where there are labour attachés if he will put down a Question.

Mr. Pannell

The hon. Gentleman made a statement about contacts by the labour attaché with the trade union movement in Spain. Is he aware that many hon. Members in this House could say that that is not true. There would be no difficulty at all in the labour attaché from this country seeking and getting contact with the present trade unions which are in dispute.

Mr. Thomas

I said that that was the situation in 1960 when the matter was reviewed. I also said that we are constantly keeping this matter under review.