The Spanish Civil War. Position in the Straits of Gibraltar, Note by the Secretary Covering Letter from Foreign Office to Secretary, Committee of Imperial Defence

ENCLOSURE. W 5205/95/41. Copy of a Letter dated 24th May, 1938, from the Foreign Office to the Secretary. Committee of Imperial Defence. Sir, I am directed by Viscount Halifax to state that he has come to the conclusion that the position in the Straits of Gibraltar resulting from the Spanish civil war calls for further investigation. 2. I am accordingly to suggest that as a preliminary step the Joint Intelligence Committee should be invited to prepare a report on the basis of the information which is in the possession of the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry, and to advise how far the Spanish fortifications in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar and on the African side of the Straits constitute a potential menace to the fortress or to British shipping in the Straits.