The Spanish Frigates
In the 1960’s, Spain was still controlled by the fascist dictator General Franco. In an attempt to improve the economy, Franco had encouraged the development of tourism in coastal resorts such as Benidorm, relaxing the puritanical control of his civil guard. Even Franco’s communist opponents had encouraged British workers to holiday in Spain in order to bring cash into the country. At the time, both Spain and Britain were excluded from the Common Market, a fact which may have made them natural trading allies.
In May 1964 the Spanish Government , wishing to upgrade its ageing fleet, was in advanced discussions with Britain’s Conservative Government over the "Leander" class frigate. The deal would have required the Government to hand over full specifications of the anti-submarine frigate to be constructed in Spain. While this would not have helped the ailing British ship-building industry, it was felt the deal would have given the UK a foot-hold towards the prize of supplying the whole Spanish navy. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Defence authorised a press disclosure of the negotiations before the deal was sealed and on 17 June 1964, leader of the opposition Harold Wilson raised the issue during a debate on foreign affairs. He referred to “ the singular agreement Her Majesty's Government …are in the course of negotiating, with General Franco.”
Wilson looked forward to the end of Franco’s rule in Spain. “When that occurs we shall be ready and willing to welcome Spain into the comity of nations. To supply valuable information about naval vessels, radar and other equipment to a democratic Spain is one thing. To supply it to Fascist Spain is quite another. The Government's policy towards Spain should be the same as it is to Eastern Europe and Cuba, where we support the line that the Government take. Trade, yes. We do not use trade boycotts to underline dislikes or differences. But arms, no.”
Wilson “I ask the Foreign Secretary one last question…Has the right hon. Gentleman received from the Franco Government a withdrawal of their claim on Gibraltar? Has he made that a condition of the arms deal?”
Rab Butler replied, “We still adhere to our attitude to Gibraltar in relation to Spain…but the matter has not been raised in the course of these negotiations.”
While some Britons may have supported Franco’s politics, the mention of Gibraltar was much more calculated to win over the Little Englander. Whether because of the press disclosure or Wilson’s comments, the Spanish broke off negotiations and in November 1964 struck a deal with the United States to build modified Knox frigates at the Bazán El Ferrol shipyard.