§ 20. Mr. Dayasked the Prime Minister particulars of the number and amounts of the claims put in for the damage done to British merchant vessels, either during the time they were in any Spanish Government ports, or on any voyage to and from same; and what portion of the damage occurred during air raids on Spanish Government ports?
§ Mr. ButlerI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on 12th December. No statistics are available on the point raised in the second part of the question.
§ Mr. DayHas the hon. Gentleman received any information as to how much of that damage was done by Italian aeroplanes?
§ Mr. ButlerI do not think it would be possible to give that information.
§ 29. Mr. Bartlettasked the Prime Minister the number of occasions on which, as reported by the Commission appointed by the British Government last August to investigate air bombardments, bombs have been dropped on non-military objectives; by which combatant have the bombs been dropped; and what action is now proposed to encourage more humane methods of warfare?
§ Mr. ButlerIt would be impossible in my answer to summarise, in the manner suggested, the reports issued by the Commission for the investigation of air bombardments in Spain. I am arranging for copies of these reports, which have already been made public, to he placed in the Library. All the raids reported on by the Commission were carried out by General Franco's forces. Appeals have on several occasions been made to both sides in Spain to practise more humane methods of warfare. His Majesty's Government hope that the publicity given to the Commission's reports will deter both sides from making unjustifiable attacks on civilian populations.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs there any allegation that the Republican forces have engaged in attacks on non-military objectives?
§ Mr. ButlerI am not making accusations, but stating facts.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs it a fact that the Republican forces have made such attacks?
§ Mr. ButlerI should want notice of that.
§ Captain A. GrahamIs it not a fact that the entirely peaceful town of Cabra, which contains no military objectives whatever, was bombed by Republican aircraft?
§ Mr. ThurtleArising out of the original reply, may I ask the hon. Gentleman, as he says that the Commission reports that the Spanish Government have not committed any of these offences, why he should appeal to the Spanish Government to desist from doing so?
§ Mr. ButlerAll I stated in my reply was that the Spanish Government asked for the Commission to investigate certain raids carried out on their territory. The other side has not asked for the Commission's services. I said no more than that.
§ Mr. David GrenfellWould it not be appropriate to direct that question to the Italian and German Governments and ask them to desist from bombing these places?
34. Mr. J. J. Davidsonasked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government intend to approach the Governments of nations, other than France and Italy, for the purpose of obtaining mediation in the Spanish conflict?
§ Mr. ButlerHis Majesty's Government will avail themselves of any suitable opportunity for bringing about a suspension of hostilities in co-operation with any other Governments which may wish to do the same.
Mr. DavidsonIn view of the fact that certain South American nations and other nations have indicated a desire to take part in some mediatory effort, will not His Majesty's Government make an approach to those nations?
§ Mr. ButlerIn answer to a previous question, I said that the Government would not eliminate any possibilities.
§ The following question stood upon The Order Paper in the name of Mr. DAVIDSON.
§ 35. To ask the Prime Minister what is the total number of British officers and men of the Mercantile Marine who have been wounded during bombing attacks on British ships engaged in legitimate trade with Government Spain and the number totally incapacitated by their wounds?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreMay I ask you a question, Sir, before Question 35 is called? It has always been my experience that there is some little difficulty in getting an adjective accepted at the Table. I would like to know whether the word "legitimate" in this question means a trade which does not infringe the Non-Intervention Pact?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a question for me.
§ Mr. ButlerTwenty-four officers and men of British nationality are known to have been wounded. In certain other 2456 cases the reports received give no indication of nationality. I regret that further particulars are not at present available.
Mr. DavidsonDoes that mean that the Foreign Office are unaware that a number of British sailors have been totally in capacitated in carrying out their legitimate trade?
§ Mr. ButlerIn answering the hon. Member's question, I said that I regretted that further particulars on that subject were not at present available.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe Minister has replied to the hon. Member's question.
Mr. DavidsonOn a point of Order. I want to submit to you, Sir, that this is a very important question for members of the British Mercantile Marine, and that the information asked for in the question warrants the asking of another supplementary question?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat depends upon whether the supplementary questions go beyond the question on the Paper.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder.
§ 42. Sir P. Harrisasked the Prime Minister whether he can give information that he has in his possession indicating the number of Italians now in Spain engaged on the side of the insurgents; and, if possible, the number of Italian aeroplanes now in that country?
§ Mr. ButlerI regret that I am not able to give an estimate of the numbers concerned.
§ Sir P. HarrisDoes that really mean that the Foreign Office have no estimate of the number of Italian troops on General Franco's side, or does the hon. Gentleman wish to suppress information because of the effect which it might have?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. Baronet must not say that I am suppressing information. It is quite impossible to give the House exact information on this Matter.
§ Sir P. HarrisIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I did not ask for exact information but for an estimate?
§ Major-General Sir Alfred KnoxIs it not true that twice as many Italians have been withdrawn from General Franco's side, as other foreigners from the other side?
§ Mr. ButlerI am aware that a number of Italians have been withdrawn, and I am also aware of the danger of giving an estimate such as the hon. Baronet asks for.
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherCould Dot the Government give the facts and figures on this subject which appear in the Italian Press?
§ Mr. ButlerThe hon. and gallant Member has access to the Italian Press himself.