HC Deb 25 January 1937 vol 319 cc552-3
18. Miss Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the report of the health organisation of the League that 200 motor-omnibuses are needed for the Spanish Government to assist in the evacuation of the civilian population of Madrid; and whether he can assure the House that the Spanish Government will receive every facility for obtaining these motors, if they desire to do so, from this country?

Viscount Cranborne

I understand that the report of the health experts sent by the Secretary-General of the League to Spain at the request of the Spanish Government has been placed on the agenda of the present session of the Council but that it has not yet been considered by the Council. As regards the second part of the question, I can assure the hon. Lady that no difficulty will be placed in the way of the purchase of omnibuses for this purpose.

Miss Rathbone

Will the Government consider any further measures for facilitating this object, such as giving some financial assistance, and, if possible, assuring the protection of the International Red Cross for convoys of the civil population?

Viscount Cranborne

So far as I am aware, the Spanish Government have not asked for any financial assistance.

Mr. Messer

Will the right hon. Gentle-may ask the Minister of Transport to get the London Passenger Transport Board to give Spain all the N.S. omnibuses they have?

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