§ 9. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will address a communication to the Spanish Government explaining the conditions on which he would inquire into the treatment of prisoners in Catholic hands at La Linea, Cadiz, Seville, and Ronda, in order that the Spanish Government may then make a similar offer?
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEBefore this question is asked, I should like to call your attention to the well-established rule of this House, that any Member who puts down a question must be responsible for the matter contained therein. As this question insinuates that the Catholics of Spain are belligerents in the civil war and hold prisoners in their hands, and that that fact is notorious and ought to be acknowledged by the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to ask whether the question is in order?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODBefore you reply, Mr. Speaker, may I ask what term one is to apply to these people? Are they to be called Catholics, Fascists or Rebels? What is the natural antithesis to Communist if not Catholic?
§ Mr. SPEAKERSince the hon. Member has drawn my attention to the question I have looked at it, and I think it is in order, although it is open to some possible misinterpretation. While the right hon. and gallant Member has to make himself entirely responsible for anything contained in it, I do not think it is out of order.
§ Mr. LOGANIs not the word "Catholic" redundant? Is there any necessity for it, seeing that there are Catholics in both camps?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not a point of Order.
§ Sir A. KNOXIs not the word "Catholic" properly used, because this party does not burn churches or murder nuns?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)I have given careful consideration to the suggestion made by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman. I would, however, point out that the offer of good offices made by His Majesty's Government for an exchange of hostages, by which the latter would recover their liberty, was addressed to both sides. This offer, as I have already stated, remains open. Until it is quite clear that there is no likelihood of its acceptance by both sides, I feel that it would not be desirable to substitute for it alternative action such as the formal inquiry suggested, which would, in any case, be accompanied by considerable practical difficulties and might tend to divert the activities of His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Officers from the valuable work of a wider humanitarian nature in which they are already engaged in all parts of Spain. I would, moreover, remind the right hon. and gallant Gentleman that His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Officers have already very wide authority to intervene at their own discretion for the purpose of mitigating the sufferings of Spanish prisoners.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIs there any truth whatever in the allegation that the Catholic population of Spain are belligerents in the civil war and hold prisoners in their hands?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Archbishop of Westminster, M. Hinsley, has defined it as a crusade?
§ Mr. STEPHENIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that those in control in the towns mentioned are the Moors and that the Catholics are on the Government side?
§ 13. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British vessels calling at Spanish 7 Mediterranean ports will be protected from search or interference on the high seas and while in territorial waters?
§ 19. Sir PERCY HARRISasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that the rights of British shipping will be safeguarded by His Majesty's Government in the event of an attempt to prevent them entering or leaving the port of Barcelona?
§ Mr. EDENThe policy of His Majesty's Government is to take no part in the Spanish war and to give no assistance to either side in the struggle. In pursuance of this policy, His Majesty's Government have been considering further the importation of arms into Spain by sea and the problems arising therefrom. His Majesty's Government have not so far accorded belligerent rights at sea to either side in the Spanish struggle, and they have no present intention of according such rights. As a consequence, His Majesty's ships will, should it prove necessary, protect British merchant ships on the high seas against interference by the ships of either party engaged in the conflict in Spain outside the three-mile limit. At the same time, it is not the intention of His Majesty's Government that British shipping should carry war material from any foreign port to any port in Spain. In order to make this as effective as possible in the circumstances, the Government intend to introduce legislation immediately rendering the carriage of arms to Spain by British ships illegal, and I take this opportunity of warning all British shipping accordingly.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhat is included in war material? Why should British ships be handicapped in comparison with the ships of foreign countries?
§ Mr. EDENIt is not a question of handicaps, but of carrying out the declared policy of His Majesty's Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhy should not British ships have the right to carry arms from one port to another when anywhere in the world other countries have that right and are acting on it?
§ Sir P. HARRISArising out of the reply to Question 19, does the answer 8 mean that the Government do not recognise the right to search of either party to the war in Spain?
§ Mr. EDENThe hon. Baronet will appreciate that the answer deals with the situation on the high seas; that is, outside the three-mile limit.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIn his definition of war material, does the right hon. Gentleman distinguish between munitions and ordinary commodities, such as coal?
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman intend to take power to prohibit the importation or carrying of arms not only to Spanish ports, but also to ports in Portugal?
§ Mr. R. ACLANDIs the proposed legislation dependent on other European countries passing and enforcing similar legislation on their part?
§ Mr. EDENWe should naturally wish that they would do so, but we consider we have our own duty to do so.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, by this answer or this policy, we concede rights to search within the three-mile limit, or whether British ships would still retain their rights outside the three-mile limit?
§ Mr. EDENIt is quite a different situation inside the three-mile limit. Nothing I have said affects that.
§ 17. Mr. BELLENGERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether information has yet been received by his Department that the Spanish rebel forces intend to blockade any of the Mediterranean ports of Spain; whether His Majesty's Government will recognise such a blockade; and whether, in consequence any British naval units now stationed at such ports will be withdrawn?
§ Mr. EDENThe answer to the first part of the question is No, Sir. The second and third parts do not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. BELLENGERHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to Press reports alleging that the rebel leaders have stated that they are proposing to blockade certain ports in the Mediterranean, and will he take steps, if such be the case, adequately to protect legitimate British interests in those ports?
§ Mr. EDENThe hon. Member asked me whether my Department has received any information; my answer is that we have not.
§ Mr. BELLENGERHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the Press reports?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Minister is not responsible for them.
§ 18. Mr. HICKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any approach has been made to him by the French Government with a view to initiating a review of the Non-Intervention Agreement; and whether, in view of the growing feeling in Great Britain that the Non-Intervention Agreement is being violated to the disadvantage of the democratically-elected Government of Spain, he will indicate the readiness of His Majesty's Government to participate in such a review?
§ Mr. EDENNo, Sir. On the contrary, the French Government have expressed to me within the last 24 hours their desire that the present Non-Intervention Agreement should continue.
§ Mr. HICKSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the present situation is very unsatisfactory? Is it not a fact that there is a Non-Intervention Committee sitting and that two of the Governments, at any rate, have publicly declared their recognition of one of the parties to the dispute, and is that not intervention in itself—if not material, at least moral intervention? Is not the position very unsatisfactory, indeed?
§ Mr. EDENI agree with the hon. Member to this extent, that I am not satisfied with the position either; but my care has to be to make sure that I do not take action which might given even greater cause for dissatisfaction.
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREWere the present Government in Spain actually elected by anyone?
§ 20. Sir P. HARRISasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consult with the French Government with a view to ensuring joint action in the case of any violation of the rights of British or French shipping desiring to enter or leave Spanish ports?
§ Mr. EDENI can assure the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government are in close touch with the French Government on all questions arising out of the present situation in Spain.
§ Sir P. HARRISDo I understand that there is the closest co-operation in this policy with reference to the protection of British shipping?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre the French Government also going to bring in a law preventing their shipping from carrying arms?
Vice-Admiral TAYLORHave not both sides a perfect right to control the port of Barcelona as they please?