§ Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements are being made for the 400 Spanish Republican refugees who have been informed that they must now leave Gibraltar, where they were working for the Allies during the war.
Mr. Creech JonesThe purpose of the notice which e hon. Member has in mind was to bring to the attention of these Spaniards the facilities for settlement130W offered by the Venezuelan Government. It was simultaneously pointed out to them that, in view of the large number of Gibraltarian evacuees still unable to return owing to lack of accommodation, they could not expect to remain m Gibraltar indefinitely. It is not correct to state that the Spanish refugees in Gibralta have been informed that they must now leave the Colony. It was not intended by the announcement of 1st November in Gibraltar that the political refugees would be compelled to leave the Colony. The demand for accommodation for evacuated Gibraltarians however, is urgent and intense and where possible refugees should be encouraged to accept suitable alternative arrangements elsewhere. The recent offer of the Venezuelan Government should be seriously considered by them. Many of the refugees rendered good service during the war years.