§ 4. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information of an incident aboard the steamship "Highland Princess," on a recent visit to Las Palmas, when members of General Franco's police attempted to take off the boat a British seaman who had refused to return the Fascist salute; and whether the newly appointed British agent in General Franco's territory will make representations to avoid any recurrence of such actions?
§ Mr. EdenI have made inquiries of the company concerned and understand that no report of any such incident as that referred to in the hon. Member's question has been received. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister aware that I have a letter from the man affected, who says that he was threatened with arrest on this boat; that he could get no satisfaction from the master of the ship and could not get in touch with any agents of the British Government?
§ Mr. EdenNo, Sir, I cannot be aware of any letter which the hon. Member has received, unless he tells me about it. I have made inquiries from the company, and though the ship has been back for a month, they have no information to that effect.
§ Brigadier-General Sir Henry CroftIs it not the case that more important persons have been reported as giving another salute; and was that by compulsion?
§ Mr. GallacherIf I give the Minister the information, will he make further inquiries?
§ 14. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information in connection with the decision of the Non-Intervention Committee upon General Franco's reply to the proposals for the withdrawal of volunteers; whether General Franco has demanded official recognition; and whether he can state the text of the reply to General Franco's proposals?
§ Mr. EdenThe replies of the two parties have been published by the Non-Intervention Committee and the hon. Member will see that the reply of General Franco refers to the question of recognition in its relationship to the granting of belligerent rights. The committee agreed that the replies of both parties were of such a character as to enable it to proceed with its work, and I understand that these replies are now being dealt with.
§ 15. Mr. W. Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Van Dulm-Hemming report on the control of Spanish frontiers will be published before any action is taken by the Non-intervention Committee to carry out its proposals?
§ Mr. EdenI understand that the Van Dulm-Hemming report was a confidential document prepared for the consideration of the Non-Intervention Committee and the two parties in Spain, and that it will therefore not be published. Any decisions which the Committee may take as a result of this report will, however, doubtless be made public.
§ Mr. R. AclandCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the report modifies the conditions as to land and sea control, or whether it extends to the further modification of the conditions for the withdrawal of volunteers?