§ 3. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the particulars, according to his records, of the number of British subjects who are still being held as prisoners by the insurgent authorities in Spain; and what, if 2045 any, further steps are being taken to secure their release?
§ Mr. EdenI am glad to be able to say that all the British subjects known to have been held as prisoners of war by General Franco's forces have now been released.
§ Mr. DayHas the Minister had any complaints as to the private property of some of those prisoners still being detained?
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxWere not these prisoners all very well treated?
§ 13. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now say what zone has been allotted to the Italian Navy under the Nyon Agreement?
§ Mr. EdenThe foreign Governments concerned are being approached with a view to obtaining their views as to the publication of the information desired by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIn view of the fact that the steamship "Jean Weems" was sunk on the high seas by an Italian aeroplane, is it not of extreme importance that all British shippers should know where the Italian zone is?
§ 15. Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the reasons of courtesy which require the visit of a British flagship to the insurgent authorities at Cadiz; and whether he proposes to instruct another flagship to pay a similar ceremonial visit to the Governrnent authorities at Barcelona?
The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr, Duff Cooper)The Rear-Admiral Commanding Destroyers, Mediterranean Fleet, visited Cadiz on 23rd November in order to inform the naval authorities there that units of the Mediterranean Fleet would be carrying out exercises at night, and to make arrangements to guard against any untoward incident occurring during these exercises. The visit had, therefore, a purely utilitarian, and not 2046 a ceremonial, object. In the circumstances, the second part of the question hardly arises; but, in point of fact, His Majesty's ships did visit Barcelona three times during the last month.
§ 16. Mr. Dayasked the First Lord of the Admiralty particulars of any British steamers that have been arrested on the high seas by British warships under the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Munitions to Spain) Act; and whether the investigations into their detention have now been completed?
Mr. CooperTwo British merchant ships, the "Euphorbia" and "African Mariner," have been taken into port by the British Naval authorities, for examination under the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Munitions to Spain) Act. As regards the "Euphorbia," I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Gorton (Mr. Benn) on 25th November. I understand that the authorities at Malta have now completed the search of the "African Mariner" and that no arms have been found. The ship has, therefore, been permitted to proceed.
§ Mr. DayCan the Minister say whether the search and investigation are facilitated in order that the vessel may not be delayed?