HC Deb 19 September 1950 vol 478 cc203-4W
53. Mr. S. de Chair

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the importance of re-establishing full diplomatic relations with Spain in the interests of Western defence and solidarity, he will now instruct the British delegation at the United Nations organisation to propose or support a resolution reversing the previous decision under which member States were asked to withdraw their Ambassadors from Spain.

54. Mr. C. S. Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty' s Government are now prepared to recommend to the United Nations organisation that full diplomatic relations should be re-established with Spain.

Mr. Ernest Davies

As the hon. Members will be aware, the policy of His Majesty' s Government has hitherto been to abstain from voting on any proposal in the United Nations to amend the provisions of the 1946 resolution on relations with the Spanish Government so as to enable the return of Ambassadors to Madrid. This policy remains unchanged.

Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the question of the return of Ambassadors to Spain is included on the agenda of the General Assembly of the United Nations for their next meeting; that in spite of the United Nations resolution, there are now nine Ambassadors and seventeen Ministers Plenipotentiary in Madrid; and if he will issue instructions to the British representative to vote in favour of the resumption of normal diplomatic relations with Spain.

Mr. Ernest Davies

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. My information is that there are 22 Ambassadors and Ministers in Madrid (including the representative of the Sovereign Order of Malta); and that of the States so represented 16 are members of the United Nations. As regards the last part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply returned to the hon. Member for Paddington, South (Mr. S. de Chair) today.

Mr. Nigel Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now give sympathetic reconsideration to the resumption of normal diplomatic relations with Spain.

Mr. Ernest Davies

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned to the hon. Member for Paddington, South (Mr. S. de Chair) today.