§ 1. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he proposes to take with reference to the proposals for humanitarian assistance to the Spanish population contained in the communication addressed to him by the six Members of this House now in Madrid?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)His Majesty's Government have for some time been giving their earnest consideration to the question of the provision of further relief for the Spanish civil population, and it appeared to them that the organisation best suited to handling this matter on a broad international basis was the International Relief Union which, as the House will be aware, was formed under the auspices of the League of Nations to deal with disasters of exceptional gravity. His Majesty's Government have accordingly asked for an early meeting of the Executive Committee of the Union for the purpose of formulating a scheme for the immediate relief of suffering resulting from military operations in any part of Spain, with the further ultimate objective of endeavouring to organise measures of more permanent relief and reconstruction as and when occasion may offer. An introductory report for the committee is being prepared by the British representative. In the meantime the proposals referred to by the hon. Member have been received by His Majesty's Government and are also receiving their urgent consideration. I received yesterday a visit from several of the hon. Members will have just returned from Madrid, and discussed the whole position with them. I shall, of course, not fail to keep the House fully informed of developments.
§ 8. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the proposal put forward by the British representative to the Committee on Non-intervention to stop the flow of foreign volunteers to Spain was supported by the representatives of France and Soviet Russia?
§ Mr. EDENThe proceedings of the Non-intervention Committee are confidential and I am, therefore, unable to add anything to the communiques which were issued to the Press on 4th December and 7th December after the meetings at which this matter was discussed.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs it not a fact that this proposal to limit volunteers going to Spain was put forward by the Italian and German Governments as long ago as August, and who opposed it then?
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs it not in order that we should have as soon as possible a Government statement on the position?
Miss RATHBONECan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no arrangement will be made by the Non-intervention Committee for the prevention of volunteers going to Spain unless it is certain that it will equally operate in the case of volunteers going to both sides?
§ 9. Lieut. - Commander FLETCHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received information as to whether the German nationals recently landed at Cadiz are civilian volunteers or serving or ex-members of the German armed forces?
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not ridiculous to talk of volunteers going from Germany?
§ 10. Mr. BELLENGERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government, or their diplomatic representatives, have received 1969 the notice issued from General Franco's headquarters at Burgos, that from 30th November to 15th December mines would be laid in the harbour mouths of a zone comprising a portion of the southern coast of Spain; and, if so, what instructions have been issued to British shipping proceeding to ports in this area?
§ Mr. EDENYes, Sir. This warning was addressed to Sir Henry Chilton by the insurgent authorities on 30th November. It was passed on at once by His Majesty's Government to the British shipping concerns.
§ Mr. BELLENGERIs not this operation factually if not technically a blockade, and is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to acquiesce in the situation?
§ Mr. EDENThere is no question whatever of acquiescence on our part. Certainly not. But this question refers to something inside Spanish territorial waters.
§ Mr. BELLENGERDo I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that this is not a factual blockade?