§ 2 and 5. Mr. Graham Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether his attention has been called to 1722 the seizure of the steamship "Mar Baltico," which left Bilbao on 13th February last with an entirely British-owned cargo destined to the Tyne and was taken into Ferrol; and what steps he is taking to obtain the release of the cargo and to secure that it is brought to its destination;
(2) what steps he is taking to secure the release and transport to destination of the cargo of iron ore destined to Middlesbrough in steamship "Fernando L de Ybarra," which was seized by Geenral Franco's forces in February last and taken to Pasajes?
§ Mr. EdenI would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to questions by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) by myself on 10th March and by my Noble Friend on 15th March. In reply to the representations made by His Majesty's Ambassador on 5th March, the insurgent authorities have pointed out that these two ships were Spanish ships and were captured in Spanish territorial waters. They have, however, stated that they agree to hand over to the British authorities the cargo of the "Fernando L de Ybarra" which was taken to the port of Pasajes. Sir Henry Chilton has been in constant communication with Salamanca during the last fortnight with a view to making arrangemtnts for the transfer of this cargo to the United Kingdom. I am hopeful that these arrangements may shortly be completed. I have also instructed Sir H. Chilton to renew his requests for the release of the cargo of the "Mar Baltico."
§ Mr. WhiteMay I ask whether the representations which have been made include a claim for any loss which may arise in connection with the detention of these cargoes which are urgently required for national purposes?
§ Mr. EdenI should like to have notice of that question, but the hon. Member will see that our representations have met with some result.
§ 4. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any decision has been arrived at with reference to the sweeping up of mines by the Navy outside territorial waters near Bilbao; and whether this is presenting any appreciable obstacle to the passage of British merchant ships?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Sir Samuel Hoare)I have been asked to reply. My information is that the minefields in the vicinity of Bilbao are inside territorial waters, and the question of minesweeping does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. ManderAre we to understand that the Government have not yet come to any decision as to whether they will sweep outside territorial waters, if necessary?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir.
§ Mr. Arthur HendersonAre we to understand from that reply that in the opinion of the Government there are no mines outside territorial waters off Bilbao?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir.
11. Lieut.-Colonel C. Kerrasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the exaggerated importance likely to be attached to visits of Members of Parliament and other nationals of this country to either side in the civil war in Spain, he will see that no passports are issued for the purpose of such visits, in order to observe strict adherence to the non-intervention of Great Britain?
§ Mr. EdenI am satisfied that His Majesty's Government are taking all proper steps to fulfill their undertakings in regard to this matter.
Lieut.-Colonel KerrIn view of the reply, does the right hon. Gentleman consider that it is non-intervention for hon. Members of this House to lecture either side?
§ Mr. EdenObviously that must be a matter of opinion, and I do not know whether the House would want to hear my view.
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs not this a free country, and have not Members of Parliament the right to say what they like in their own country?
§ Mr. EdenThat has not been challenged; and it is not the point at issue. The point is how much should they say in other countries.
§ Mr. LoganIs it considered right for Members of Parliament to express their opinion in Spain while Spanish nationals in this country are not able to express their opinion?
§ Mr. EdenI would not like to dogmatise on this matter, but assurances of this nature are asked of all who go to Spain, and I am sure the country would like these assurances to be respected in the letter as well as in the spirit.
§ Mr. CocksIs it not a good thing that Members of Parliament should endeavour to obtain first-hand information of the situation in Spain?
§ 13. Mr. Thurtleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the latest information he has regarding the safety or otherwise of the approaches to Bilbao harbour for British shipping wishing to enter that port; and whether he is arranging for the Admiralty to furnish him with reports, at frequent intervals, on the matter?
§ Mr. EdenI am not at present in a position to add anything to the statements made by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty and myself in the course of last night's Debate. As I then informed the House, however, the position is constantly under review and further inquiries are now being made.
§ Mr. ThurtleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the First Lord stated that the situation is changing daily, and will he therefore see that reports are received from the Admiralty daily in regard to it?
§ Mr. EdenThat is not quite a matter for me. It is true that the situation inevitably changes from day to day.
§ Sir Archibald SinclairHas any report ever been received of a commercial ship being blown up by a mine outside Bilbao?
§ 14. Mr. Rileyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the application of the Non-Intervention Committee's scheme of control regarding Spain due to come into operation as from midnight on 19th April; and whether, in fact, the scheme has been applied on all the sections by the ships and officials of the respective Governments concerned?
§ Mr. EdenI understand that the scheme duly came into operation on the date given. So far as I am aware, the answer to the second part of the question is, Yes, Sir.
§ Mr. RileyWhen is the right hon. Gentleman likely to make a statement as to whether the scheme is in full application and how it is working?
§ Mr. EdenI have given all the information I have up to the present. I will naturally keep the House informed.
Mr. Vyvyan AdamsHas the Foreign Secretary any information about the prospects of the withdrawal of such foreign nationals as are at present in Spain?
§ 15. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the differences between the situation in the port of Bilbao and the situation in the port of Barcelona which make it unnecessary to ask General Franco to establish a safety zone for foreign shipping in the former port?
§ Mr. EdenThe insurgent authorities have declared their intention of investing Bilbao. So far as I am aware this is not the case as regards Barcelona.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIn view of our great interest in the shipment of ore from Bilbao, is it not a fact that ever since last December we have had a greater interest in the safety zone in Bilbao than anywhere else?
§ Mr. EdenThat is another question. I do not think the hon. Member will expect me to answer it after last night's discussion.
§ 18. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether instructions have been given to the British naval authorities in the vicinity of Bilbao to protect any British food ships within Spanish territorial waters, for the purpose of proceeding to Bilbao, which may be fired upon by a Spanish insurgent vessel which is itself outside such territorial waters?
§ Sir S. HoareAs has repeatedly been made clear to the House, as long as a British merchant ship remains on the high seas she would be protected by any British warship within call if she were fired upon or otherwise subjected to illegal interference by a Spanish warship. If, however, a British merchant ship 1726 enters Spanish territorial waters she does so at her own risk. These conditions apply whether or not the Spanish warship is inside territorial waters.
§ Mr. HendersonIf it is permissible for an insurgent warship which itself is outside territorial limits to fire upon a British ship which is just inside territorial limits, will this not render the protection of the British Fleet worthless?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir; I do not admit the right of the insurgent warship to sink or attack a British ship in conditions of that kind Within territorial waters, as the hon. Member knows, the utmost that a hostile ship can do would be to take the other ship into possession.
§ Mr. ShinwellIn the event of a British merchant vessel penetrating territorial waters and being damaged as a result of insurgent action, who will be held responsible?
§ Sir S. HoareWe have already drawn General Franco's attention to the risks involved in that way. We have said that any damage done would be without prejudice to further claims that might be made.
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes that mean that if a British merchant vessel is in territorial waters and is damaged by action for which the insurgents are responsible, the Government will call upon General Franco to compensate accordingly? Is that the meaning?
§ Sir S. HoareYes, Sir; we have already told General Franco that he would be responsible for any claims that might be made in that connection.
§ 19. Mr. Manderasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the advisability of recognising officially the action, off the north coast of Spain, on 6th April, of Commander C. Caslon, R.N., of the destroyer "Blanche," in clearing for action and steaming straight for the Spanish rebel cruiser, by which he was greatly outgunned, in order to defend the British ship "Thorpehall"; and whether he will inform the Naval Command that such conduct is approved of and supported?
§ Sir S. HoareA suitable message conveying appreciation of the manner in which this unexpected and difficult situa- 1727 tion was dealt with by the Commanding Officer, His Majesty's Ship "Blanche," and the destroyers under his orders has been sent through the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet.
§ Mr. ManderDo I understand that the Navy have a free hand to take similar action in similar circumstances in future?
§ Sir S. HoareYes, Sir, certainly.