§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, as his message on 23rd September to the British Ambassador to Spain concerning the arrest of Spanish politicians was an interference in the domestic affairs of another country, he will give the House the reasons for this action.
§ Mr. BevinIn the two recent cases, to which I assume the hon. Member is referring, I first assured myself that the charges were of a political nature. I then instructed His Majesty's Ambassador in Madrid unofficially to emphasise to the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs the widespread interest aroused by the arrest of these two men and the dismay which would have been evidenced had they been executed. I make no apology for my action, for which there are precedents, and I am gratified that my representations were not without effect.