SPAIN.

HC Deb 16 March 1938 vol 333 cc384-9

5. Mr. G. Strauss

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now seen the official communiqué issued by the Spanish Government stating that General Zander, commander of the sixth sector of the German air force, is fighting with the insurgents in Spain; that the following German ships are co-operating in General Franco's fleet: submarines U₂₉, U₃₀, U₃₃, U₃₄, U₃₆, U₅₄, accompanied by the base ships "Wollin," "Lieselotte," "Essberger," "Neptun," "August Shultze"; and whether he will make inquiries about these allegations, either direct or through the Non-intervention Committee?

6. Mr. Riley

asked the Prime Minister whether the Foreign Office has received information from its representatives in Spain as to the arrival in Spain of munitions, aeroplanes or men from either Germany or Italy for the aid of the insurgents in the civil war since 1st February, 1938; and whether he can state the approximate quantities, respectively?

7. Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a number of Italian destroyers have recently been transferred to the Spanish insurgents; and will he bring the matter before the Non-intervention Committee?

Mr. Butler

His Majesty's representatives naturally report on matters of this nature if they are brought to their notice, but it is rather the duty of specially qualified officers of the Nonintervention Board to collect such information. As regards the detailed reports mentioned in these questions, the Spanish Government communiqué has naturally been brought to the notice of His Majesty's Government, but they have no information which in any way confirms the allegations contained therein. Nor have they any information of any recent transfer of Italian destroyers to General Franco's forces.

Mr. G. Strauss

Can we be told why it is that the Government consistently deny all information about the material Fascist intervention in Spain, and are the Government prepared to drift along blindly until Spain goes the same way as Austria, this time with Government connivance?

Mr. Butler

The hon. Member's question referred to a specific case, and our information goes to show that these allegations have no confirmation.

Mr. T. Williams

Are we to understand from the reply to Question No. 6 that the Government have information that satisfies them that neither Germany nor Italy has broken the spirit or words of the Non-intervention Agreement?

Mr. Butler

That raises a rather broader question than the one on the Paper.

Mr. Williams

May I remind the hon. Gentleman—

Mr. Speaker

A specific question has been put on the Paper, and an answer has been given to it.

Miss Wilkinson

On a point of Order. On this specific question, may we have an answer from the Foreign Office as to whether there is either an understanding or an instruction that the Foreign Office desires to have no information from its agents with regard to intervention in Spain?

Mr. Mander

Can we have the Prime Minister here to answer questions?

Mr. Bellenger

In view of the serious statement made in question No. 5, will the hon. Gentleman ascertain whether that information is correct or not, and, if so, would it not be regarded as an unfriendly act by His Majesty's Government?

Mr. Butler

I have said, in answer to the specific question in No. 5, that this particular information does not appear to us to be correct from all the information we are able to obtain.

Mr. Riley

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment at an early opportunity.

Mr. Mander

On a point of Order. We were informed the other day by the Prime Minister that it was his intention to be here on the occasion of Foreign Office questions to deal with any important questions that would arise. May I ask what steps the House can take to see that the Prime Minister is persuaded to carry out the promise that he gave?

Mr. Speaker

I am afraid that is not a question I can answer.

Mr. Benn

Would it not be in order for hon. Gentlemen who have addressed questions to the Prime Minister to decline, in his absence, to put the questions?

Mr. Speaker

The Prime Minister, according to his own statement, is the judge of what are important questions which he will answer himself.

Mr. Kirkwood

For the information of hon. Members, may I ask whether, as the Opposition are not satisfied with the replies which we are getting to these specific questions, it would be in order for me to move the Adjournment of the House to call attention to the fact that the Prime Minister, who promised the House that he would reply to these questions, is not here to do so?

Mr. Speaker

If hon. Members were to move the Adjournment of the House every time they did not get the answers which they desired to their questions, I am afraid there would be many such Motions.

Mr. W. Roberts

May I ask question No. 7?

Mr. Speaker

It has been answered with questions 5 and 6.

Mr. Roberts

I was not aware that it had been included in that answer. May I put a supplementary question? May I ask the hon. Gentleman—

Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte

On a point of Order. Is it in order for an hon. Member who was unaware that his own question had been answered, to seek to ask a supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker

It is usual to allow a supplementary question to be put by the hon. Member in whose name the question stands on the Paper.

Mr. W. Roberts

Does the Under-Secretary state definitely that he has received no information with regard to these Italian destroyers from any officer acting uder the Non-intervention Agreement?

Mr. Butler

As I said in my original answer, we have received no information of any recent transfer of Italian destroyers to General Franco's forces. I understand that there was a report towards the end of last year that certain destroyers had been transferred. This question referred to recent transfers, and the answer is as I have given it.

9. Mr. W. Roberts

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that Article 13 of the Tenth Convention of the Second Hague Convention provides that if wounded, sick, or shipwrecked persons are taken on board a neutral warship precaution must be taken, so far as possible, that they do not again take part in the operations of war, any pledge was obtained from the insurgent sailors rescued from the "Baleares" that they would not serve again in the insurgent forces?

The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Lieut.-Colonel Llewellin)

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on 7th March, in which he stated that His Majesty's Government do not take the view that we are bound by the obligations of neutrality in the circumstances of the Spanish war.

Mr. Benn

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information as to the bombing of the British steamer "Stanwell" in Tarragona harbour yesterday?

The Prime Minister (Mr. Chamberlain)

No report has yet been received in regard to this incident. I am, however, making urgent inquiries.

Mr. Benn

Would the Prime Minister get from all available sources what information he can as to the nationality of the machines and of their occupants?

The Prime Minister

I shall get all the information I can.

Mr. Attlee

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any representations from the French Government regarding the latest situation in Spain; and whether he has any statement to make?

The Prime Minister

His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris received yesterday evening from the French Government an indication of the anxiety with which they view the present military situation in Spain. His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the importance of recent developments and are keeping in close touch with the French Government.

Mr. Attlee

In view of the obvious fact that the Non-intervention Agreement is being violated—[HON. MEMBERS: "By whom? "]—and that British interests are gravely imperilled by this attack upon the Spanish Peninsula by Powers that have shown aggression in other parts of the world, will His Majesty's Government now confer with the French Government with a view to restoring to the Spanish Government their right to receive arms and assistance?

The Prime Minister

What I said was that we are keeping in close touch with the French Government.

Mr. Attlee

Has the Prime Minister considered any question of action in view of this continued breach, and may I recall to his mind the statement which he made when he talked in this House of his conversations with Italy that any further activities changing the military situation in Spain would necessarily affect the continuance of those conversations?

Hon. Members

What about Russia?

The Prime Minister

The recent developments appear to have taken place with men, arms and equipment already in Spain.

Mr. Attlee

In view of the statement made by the Prime Minister and of the present situation, I beg to give notice that I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House.