§ 46. Mr. Manderasked the Prime Minister whether consideration has been given by the Government and Committee of Imperial Defence to the problems that would arise in the event of a German-Italian control of Spain and the acquisition of submarine bases and aerodromes by these Powers; and whether, in view of the threat to British communication in the Mediterranean and the British Empire generally, he will state to what extent it will be necessary to increase the Army, Navy and Air Force above the present programme and the cost likely to be involved in the above eventuality?
§ The Prime MinisterThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. ManderDoes the Prime Minister now appreciate that the foreign policy of the Government during the last year or two has been a first-class disaster to the Empire?
§ Lieut.-Commander FletcherDoes the Prime Minister not think that a more precise and emphatic declaration than has yet been made that the territorial and political integrity of Spain are matters of vital concern to this country, about which 556 we cannot compromise, would have a very steadying effect in the present situation?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte (by Private Notice)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to a statement in the controlled Italian Press to the effect that British warships have been ordered by the Admiralty to fire on insurgent aircraft which come within the range of their anti-aircraft guns but not at Spanish Government aircraft?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Duff Cooper)I am glad of the opportunity of denying this report. Since the commencement of hostilities in Spain, the instructions to British warships employed in Spanish waters have been to defend themselves against any definitely hostile attacks by aircraft. These instructions apply without any discrimination whatsoever to the aircraft of both the contending parties.
§ Mr. McEnteeCan the right hon. Gentleman give any guarantee that the reply that he has given will be published in Italy?
§ Mr. Attlee (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to what proposals will be discussed at the meeting of the Non-Intervention Committee to-morrow in order to dissolve the present deadlock?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)As the House is aware from the statement which I made on Monday last, the Chairman's Sub-Committee of the Non-Intervention Committee decided last Friday to refer the proposals made by the French and United Kingdom Governments and by the German and Italian Governments respectively to all the representatives on the full Committee, with a view to their consideration at the Plenary Session of the Committee which is to be held to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock.
§ Mr. AttleeWill the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement in the House to-morrow in the event of some decision of importance being taken?
§ Mr. EdenI will gladly consider that, but I rather anticipate, in view of the importance of this discussion by the Com- 557 mittee, that it will last over until the afternoon. If that is the case, I shall not be in a position before the House rises.
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennHave the French Government set any time limit on their keeping the Spanish-French frontier closed?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that our Government will not consider granting belligerent rights until the invading German and Italian troops have been withdrawn from Spain?
§ Mr. EdenI think I have already made it clear that we have no intention of putting forward any proposals to-morrow, and we must await the outcome of to-morrow's meeting.
§ Mr. BennIn the meantime, has the right hon. Gentleman noticed that foreign aircraft are bombarding Madrid?