HC Deb 17 May 1934 vol 289 cc1946-7
74. Mr. MANDER

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if in view of the terms of the Foreign Enlistment Act, he has any statement to make with reference to the circumstances in which a hundred ex-officers and ratings, of the British Navy left Tilbury on Saturday for Colombia to man two destroyers recently bought by the Colombian Government, having signed on for two years; and if he has any information to show if these men are to take part in the hostilities between Colombia and Peru?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)

The provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act have no bearing on the engagement by the Colombian Government of certain ex-naval officers and ratings, as Colombia is not at war. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

Mr. MANDER

Can the First Lord Bay whether these men are reservists?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

Yes, Sir, some of them are reservists, but none of them are on active service.

Mr. MANDER

Will the First Lord say whether he considers it decent that British subjects are to be sent out as mercenaries to serve in killing——

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

These men are not sent out as mercenaries. They were applied for by the Colombian Government. The Admiralty have to give their permission. If I had withheld that permission, I should have been depriving a lot of men of work——

Mr. MANDER

Killing work——

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

I should have been inviting the Colombian Government to get men from some other nation, which I think would have been a great disadvantage. If there were any question of mercenaries, I should come to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. MANDER

In view of the fact that these men are going to be paid for by the Colombian Government, are they not rightly described in every sense as mercenaries?

At end of Questions :

Mr. MANDER

I beg to give notice that I shall at the earliest opportunity on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House call attention to the enlistment of British subjects in the Colombian Navy.