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Spain (U.N.O. Membership)

Oral Answers to Questions — Germany – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 14 July 1947.

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Photo of Sir Patrick Hannon Sir Patrick Hannon , Birmingham Moseley 12:00, 14 July 1947

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what negotiations are in process for the inclusion of Spain in U.N.O. at an early date.

Mr. McNeil:

None, Sir.

Photo of Sir Patrick Hannon Sir Patrick Hannon , Birmingham Moseley

How long is this state of affairs going to continue? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Spain has been fighting for 10 years to keep back Bolshevism, and why exclude it now?

Mr. McNeil:

The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that if he is referring to membership of the United Nations, no discussion can take place until Spain itself has initiated such a discussion by making application? She has not yet done so.

Photo of Mr Samuel Silverman Mr Samuel Silverman , Nelson and Colne

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Foreign Office, in discussing the standard of civilisation, applies the same standard in Eastern as in Western Europe.

Mr. McNeil:

Precisely, and if Spain should make such an application His Majesty's Government will oppose it.

Photo of Mr Anthony Nutting Mr Anthony Nutting , Melton

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what possible economic or political gain this or any other country gets by ostracising Spain in this direction.

Mr. McNeil:

I think the answer is that His Majesty's Government, as a member of the United Nations, continues to be bound by the resolution passed by the Assembly of the United Nations against the Franco regime last December.

Photo of Sir Henry Legge-Bourke Sir Henry Legge-Bourke , Isle of Ely

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will bear in mind the evidence given in Count Ciano's diaries in view of his having made such an astonishing statement?

Mr. McNeil:

There was a great variation of evidence in that remarkable book.

Photo of Sir Patrick Hannon Sir Patrick Hannon , Birmingham Moseley

In view of the statement of the right hon. Gentleman that His Majesty's Government will oppose any application from Spain for membership of the United Nations, I will take the earliest opportunity of raising this matter.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.