HC Deb 01 February 1939 vol 343 cc182-3
10. Sir Percy Harris

asked the Prime Minister the date of the last meeting of the Non-intervention Committee and when it is likely to meet again?

Mr. Butler

The last meeting of the Non-intervention Committee took place on 5th July, 1938. No date has at present been fixed for a further meeting.

Sir P. Harris

Will the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the Secretary of State to the necessity of this committee meeting, in order to consider the constant breaches of the Non-intervention Agreement?

Mr. Butler

I feel sure that my Noble Friend will have the point which the hon. Baronet has in mind quite clearly before him.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is it not desirable to have a meeting of the Committee, in order to discuss the bringing into force of the plan unanimously agreed to on 5th July?

Mr. Butler

As the hon. Member knows, the plan has not been accepted by General Franco.

15. Mr. W. Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement about the negotiations with the Burgos authorities for the payment of compensation to British seamen and shipowners trading with Spain?

Mr. Butler

The communication from the Burgos authorities on this subject which was received towards the end of December was carefully considered by His Majesty's Government in consultation with the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom and other interests concerned. Certain further proposals which were agreed on in the course of these discussions have now been communicated to the Burgos authorities. Until a reply to the latest proposals has been received, I regret that I can give no fuller information about them.

Mr. Roberts

Is it not the fact that in the Note sent in December the Burgos authorities deny that they have ever agreed to pay compensation?

Mr. Butler

If the hon. Member will put down a question on that point I will give him the answer.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not true to say that the Burgos authorities have so far not paid a single penny in compensation, and that seamen who have suffered as a result of the bombing outrages perpetrated by Franco are not yet receiving compensation?

Mr. Butler

I understand that compensation has been paid to seamen by the National Maritime Board. In regard to compensation in the case of ships, that is not usually paid until the end of hostilities. It is true to say that the Burgos authorities have not yet paid anything at all.

Mr. Shinwell

As regards compensation to seamen paid through the medium of the National Maritime Board, does not the right hon. Gentleman know that that is compensation paid under the Workmen's Compensation Acts and has nothing to do with the compensation referred to in the question?

Mr. Butler

I realise that what the hon. Member's question referred to primarily was compensation for damage done to the ships and for the men serving in them.

Mr. Roberts

Would the Minister be prepared to publish the terms of the promise under which General Franco did agree to pay compensation, which was referred to in the Prime Minister's speech in July?

Mr. Butler

If the hon. Member will put down that question I will certainly give it my consideration.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Should not all such questions on compensation be addressed to the accredited Government of the country?

Mr. Noel-Baker

In recent negotiations have the Government made it quite clear that they do not recognise the legality of the air blockade in which the ships were sunk?

Mr. Butler

Certainly, Sir, and I make that clear at this Box now.