§ 2. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether we have a representative at Tangier; whether there are Italian or Spanish insurgent soldiers in Tangier; and whether our representative voted for or against Spanish Government vessels being allowed to stay in Tangier waters?
§ Mr. EDENThe British representative at Tangier is His Majesty's Consul-General. I understand that there is a small Italian naval guard posted at the Italian Consulate-General, and that there are also small French and Portuguese guards at their respective consulates. I have no information of the presence of Spanish insurgent soldiers. As regards the last part of the question, I assume that the right hon. Gentleman is referring to the meeting held on 22nd July by the Committee of Control at Tangier, when the committee decided to draft a joint telegram for despatch to their respective Governments, urging that the Spanish Government should be pressed not to use Tangier as a base of military operations by their warships. This proposal was made, having regard to the fact that Tangier constitutes a neutral zone and to the risk of retaliatory action involving naval hostilities within that zone. His Majesty's Consul-General was present at this meeting, and agreed to the above-mentioned conclusion.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the voting was three to two on that occasion? Are we to understand that His Majesty's Ministers did not support the French and Spanish representatives?
§ Mr. EDENI did not know that about the voting. The original representation for the departure of the Spanish warships was made at Madrid by representatives of certain Powers including France and Italy.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill the right hon. Gentleman find out whether the report that there are a large number of Italians in Tangier is true or not?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODThe report is that there are now a large number of Italian soldiers of General Franco's forces. Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire from our representative in Tangier whether there is any truth in that?
§ 5. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make any statement regarding his efforts to secure the release of two members of the Scot tish ambulance unit in Spain recently captured by insurgent troops; and whether he has any information as to their treatment since they were captured?
§ Mr. EDENA communication has been received from the authorities at Burgos, stating that Mr. Mahon and Mr. Boyd are being properly cared for and will be placed at liberty at whatever point on the frontier they may select. Thanks have been expressed to the authorities concerned for their prompt reply to His Majesty's Government's request.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONHas the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the treatment they have received since?
§ 9. Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Diplomatic Corps in Madrid have appointed a committee of three, which includes the British Charge d'Affaires, for the purpose of making some effort to mitigate the rigours experienced by the civil population of the city; whether he can state what efforts they have made in this direction; and whether, in the event of the fall of Madrid, they would take steps to afford protection to the wounded soldiers in the hospitals and also to the political prisoners in the prisons?
§ Mr. EDENHis Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Madrid reported on 11th November that he, together with the Mexican Ambassador and the Argentine Charge d'Affaires had called on the General Officer Commanding in Madrid 1766 and, on behalf of the Corps Diplomatique, had left with him a memorandum offering their services in any manner compatible with their position with a view to alleviating the sufferings of the civilian population. The action of His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires, which has the full approval of His Majesty's Government, was in accordance with the general instructions given to him. In agreement with his colleagues, Mr. Ogilvie Forbes also expressed their willingness to interview the insurgent commander. So far as I am aware, no reply has yet been returned to their suggestion. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's question, His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires is authorised to take, in collaboration with his colleagues, such steps as he may consider practicable to safeguard the position of the wounded and of civilian prisoners by representations to the authorities concerned.
§ Mr. COCKSWould the Government consider, in the event of the fall of Madrid, affording diplomatic protection by sending representatives from the Embassy to both prisons and hospitals, saying they were under the protection of the Diplomatic Corps?
§ Mr. EDENWe can do nothing without the consent and collaboration of the authorities, but the hon. Member may be sure that everything we can do we will do.
§ Mr. RADFORDIs it not a fact that political prisoners will be in greater danger before the fall of Madrid than afterwards?
§ Mr. SHINWELLWill the right hon. Gentleman take further steps to bring to an end this detestable bombing from the air?
§ Mr. EDENThat is another question. If the hon. Gentleman wants to know what we have done about that, I am willing to tell the House, but unfortunately it does not lie with His Majesty's Government to put an end to this terrible suffering.