Oral Answers to Questions — Spain (Madrid Court Trials)

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 8 April 1963.

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Photo of Mr Frank Allaun Mr Frank Allaun , Salford East 12:00, 8 April 1963

asked the Lord Privy Seal why the British Embassy in Madrid have ceased sending representatives to attend political trials in the capital.

Photo of Mr Peter Thomas Mr Peter Thomas , Conway

Her Majesty's Ambassador came to the conclusion that this was not necessary, because other sources of information are available.

Photo of Mr Frank Allaun Mr Frank Allaun , Salford East

Is the Minister aware that the American Embassy in Madrid continues regularly to send a representative to those political trials and that this is considered to have a restraining effect? Will he, therefore, consider the continuation of our former practice, which would help towards securing justice in these cases?

Photo of Mr Peter Thomas Mr Peter Thomas , Conway

The reason why somebody was available was to report upon what took place. As I have said, other sources, such as the Press, enable the Embassy to report adequately on trials, as, indeed, on other Spanish internal matters.

Photo of Mr Frank Allaun Mr Frank Allaun , Salford East

Surely, if it is considered that the American Embassy's representative is helpful towards securing justice, would not our representative similarly be regarded? Is the hon. Gentleman aware, for example, that the correspondent of The Times has attended sixty-one trials in seven weeks in one court in Madrid? There is, therefore, plenty to watch.

Photo of Mr Peter Thomas Mr Peter Thomas , Conway

The Press attends these trials and, therefore, full information is received by the Embassy. It is not thought that the presence of somebody from the Embassy would alter the situation one way or the other.