§ 7. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give particulars of the report of British naval officers who recently visited Spanish Morocco, and the reason why Melilla air station was not visited?
§ Viscount CranborneIn his visits to Ceuta, Tetuan and Melilla, the commander of His Majesty's Ship "Vanoc" was accompanied by His Majesty's Consul at Tetuan, who has furnished a report. No evidence was found of German troops having landed at Ceuta or in the Ceuta-Tetuan area. The Acting Spanish High Commissioner stated that, apart from a few legionaries, the Germans at Tetuan belonged to the Hissma organisation who were studying the possibilities of trade with Germany. There was no evidence of barracks being built at Ceuta for German troops, but there are newly-built blocks of workmen's dwellings. The captain of the port at Ceuta gave assurances with regard to the armament of the defences. At Melilla, the Spanish military commandant stated that there were no preparations to receive German troops either at Melilla or in the interior. The Germans in the town or at Tauima aerodrome were of the air service and were there for the defence of the town, and especially of the iron mines and the 917 mineral jetty at the port. As far as could be ascertained, the number of Germans at Melilla and the air bases is about 150, but it was understood from the military commandant that their number varied considerably from day to day. Access to the aerodromes was forbidden.
§ Mr. ManderCan the hon. Gentleman say why permission was not given for access to aerodromes?
§ Viscount CranborneNo reason was given.
§ Mr. ManderWas it not clearly understood when the invitation was given that access would be given to Ministers to see anything they wished to see?
§ Viscount CranborneI can tell the hon. Gentleman only that access was forbidden, and that the British authorities concerned made use of all the facilities accorded.
§ Mr. BellengerWas not this a matter of controversy between two foreign nations, and is not the Government's policy inconsistent?
§ Viscount CranborneNo, Sir; it was a completely different situation. We have definite treaty obligations with regard to the Moroccan zone.
§ Mr. ThurtleCan the Noble Lord say whether the military commandant at Melilla is supporting the Spanish insurgent faction?
§ Viscount CranborneNot without notice.
§ 21. Mr. D. Grenfellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the reason why the Spanish trawlers "Masso Nueve," "Masso Diez," "Masso Once," "Mordego Tiburon," "Meria," "San Fausto," and "San Gregorio" were handed over to the insurgent authorities; whether the crews who had been detained on these vessels at Gibraltar for six months have been allowed to proceed to their homes; and whether these boats were manned by supporters of the Spanish Government?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)I have no information on this matter, but I am making inquiries.
§ Mr. GrenfellWill the right hon. Gentleman take note of the statement that these trawlers were handed over to the 918 insurgent authorities for naval purposes, and that that was done contrary to the wish of the owners?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI have no evidence of any such statement; I have seen no statement to that effect. The matter is a complete mystery to me.
§ Mr. GrenfellWhen the right hon. Gentleman has made inquiries, will he inform the House if a further question is put down?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI will let the hon. Gentleman know, as soon as the authorities in Gibraltar reply, whether the question should be put down to me or to the Admiralty.
§ Mr. ThurtleWill not the right hon. Gentleman make telegraphic inquiries in this case, in view of the importance and urgency of the matter?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI think that that has been done, but here is a large number of names of ships, and the appearance of the hon. Gentleman's question is the first evidence of anything of this kind; I do not know what the source of his information is.
§ Mr. GrenfellMay I point out that this question has been on the Paper since Friday last?
§ 2. Mr. Denvilleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to three propagandist pamphlets issued by the Spanish Embassy in London; and whether he will make representations to the Spanish Government against this breach of diplomatic usage?
§ Viscount CranborneMy attention has been drawn to two pamphlets issued by the Press Department of the Spanish Embassy, the contents of which are not of such a nature, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, as to call for representations to the Spanish Government.