§ 60. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Lord Privy Seal why the British Embassy in Madrid have ceased sending representatives to attend political trials in the capital.
§ Mr. P. ThomasHer Majesty's Ambassador came to the conclusion that this was not necessary, because other sources of information are available.
§ Mr. AllaunIs the Minister aware that the American Embassy in Madrid continues regularly to send a representative to those political trials and that this is considered to have a restraining effect? Will he, therefore, consider the continuation of our former practice, which would help towards securing justice in these cases?
§ Mr. ThomasThe reason why somebody was available was to report upon what took place. As I have said, other sources, such as the Press, enable the Embassy to report adequately on trials, as, indeed, on other Spanish internal matters.
§ Mr. AllaunSurely, if it is considered that the American Embassy's representative is helpful towards securing justice, would not our representative similarly be regarded? Is the hon. Gentleman aware, for example, that the correspondent of The Times has attended sixty-one trials in seven weeks in one court in Madrid? There is, therefore, plenty to watch.
§ Mr. ThomasThe Press attends these trials and, therefore, full information is received by the Embassy. It is not thought that the presence of somebody from the Embassy would alter the situation one way or the other.