HC Deb 01 May 1941 vol 371 c584W
Mr. Profumo

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking with regard to the attempts by German propaganda and by certain publications in this country to show that Great Britain intends to intervene in Spain and Portugal with the object of involving these countries in the war?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. I need scarcely say that these rumours of intended British intervention in Spain and Portugal are devoid of foundation. They are put out by the German propaganda agencies with the object of stirring up feeling against Great Britain amongst the Spanish and Portuguese peoples and of furthering German plans for penetration in the Iberian Peninsula. It is the earnest hope of His Majesty's Government that these German plans will be frustrated and that the Spaniards and Portuguese will be spared the miseries of war. Any suggestions to the contrary which may have appeared in any publication in the United Kingdom can only have been made by irresponsible persons.