§ 15. Mr. CROWDERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of voyages which have been made by British warships to take off refugees from Spain during the civil war in that country; the number of such refugees who have been so rescued; the cost of these operations to this country; and from which Governments of countries to which these refugees belong expressions of appreciation of the work carried out by the British Navy have been received?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lord Stanley)Up to 4th November, the number of voyages made by His Majesty's ships solely to evacuate refugees from Spain was 220, representing a mileage steamed of 75,724 miles. Eleven thousand one hundred and ninety-five refugees have been evacuated. The cost of fuel is at present estimated at about £40,000. In addition there has been some minor expenditure for miscellaneous purposes such as messing of refugees, hire of tenders for disembarkation, etc. Details of these charges are not yet available. Expressions of appreciation have been received from the Belgian, Chilean, Dominican, Finnish, German, Japanese, Netherlands, Norwegian, Peruvian, Polish, Swedish, Swiss, United States and Venezuelan Governments, from the Cuban Minister in Paris and from the Senate of the Free City of Danzig.