§ 1. Mr. Denvilleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to inform the House regarding the activities of Mr. Cockburn, a British subject who is acting as assistant publicity agent for the Madrid Government?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr.Eden)I am informed that Mr. Cockburn is reported to have been recently at Valencia and Almeria. So far as I can ascertain, he has been engaged in Press and propaganda work on behalf of the Spanish Government.
§ Mr. DenvilleIs it not a fact that Mr. Cockburn, in co-operation with a man called Greenspan, a Communist leader, is running the whole of the Madrid publicity which comes into this country?
§ Mr. GallacherIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, as was stated before, Mr. Cockburn is a good correspondent of a good paper, and is a better publicity agent than the Marquis del Moral?
§ 3. Mr. Dayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give particulars and state what progress has been made for the release of British prisoners in the hands of either General Franco or the Government forces in Spain?
§ 4. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ascertain the number of British subjects now held as prisoners of war in Spain by the insurgent and Government forces, respectively?
§ Mr. EdenTwenty-three British prisoners were released by the insurgent authorities on 29th May. I understand 1732 that there are five British prisoners remaining in insurgent hands, and I have received unconfirmed reports of two or three further cases. Appropriate instructions have been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador at Hendaye in respect of all these cases. The Spanish Government have stated that, to the best of their knowledge, they hold no British prisoners.
§ Mr. DayIn view of statements made by released British prisoners, will the right hon. Gentleman consider approaching General Franco to see that more humanitarian measures are taken in the future?
§ Mr. SorensenIs the right lion. Gentleman aware that he did not answer my question? Will he, therefore, take steps to ascertain how many British subjects are prisoners on either side?
§ Mr. EdenI have answered the question and given the information sought. I have said that 23 had been released on one side and that, perhaps, eight remained, while on the other side, as far as I know, there are none.
§ Mr. MacquistenWhat are they doing there, anyhow? It is not their quarrel?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWhy is General Franco discriminating between some of these prisoners and others?
§ Mr. EdenI cannot say. All I know is that 23 have been released, and naturally we hope the others will be released also. In fact, I think more British prisoners, in proportion, have been released than prisoners of other nationalities.
§ Mr. Arthur HendersonMay we take it that those who remain in the hands of General Franco, are not being kept as hostages?
§ 6. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any agreement between His Majesty's Government and the French, German, and Italian Governments as to the form and nature of the naval control to operate off the coast of Spain for the purposes of the Non-Intervention Agreement will be submitted to the Non-Intervention Committee for their approval before such agreement becomes operative?
§ Mr. EdenThe exchanges of views which are at present taking place, with the full knowledge and approval of the Non-Intervention Committee, between His Majesty's Government and the three Governments referred to are concerned with the guarantees which might be obtained from the two parties in the Spanish conflict in order to enable the work of naval patrol which has been delegated to these four Governments to be restored to full operation, thus permitting the Committee to resume its work. Should any proposals be made in the course of this exchange of views which would involve modification of the scheme of observation itself they would, so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, be a matter for consideration by the Committee.
§ Mr. HendersonWhen does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be in a position to make a statement on these negotiations?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsWill any proposals made by Italy, Germany or France to the contending parties in Spain, be submitted first to the Non-Intervention Committee?
§ Mr. EdenI think the hon. Gentleman will find that my answer covers that point. It depends, of course, on the nature of the proposals.
Miss RathboneWill Parliament also be given an opportunity of expressing its opinion of the proposals and of satisfying itself that precautions are being taken against a repetition of abuses of their position by German and Italian war vessels?
§ Mr. Wedgwood BennWill the right hon. Gentleman give a definite pledge to the House, that in no circumstances will the British Government consent in any form to the right of private retaliation by any of the parties concerned?
§ Mr. EdenWe accept, of course, and have always accepted, the right of self-defence. We have never subscribed to the right of retaliation.
§ 8. Sir Nicholas Grattan-Doyleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 1734 whether his attention has been called to the recent visit of the Dean of Canterbury and other Church dignitaries to Spain; whether he was consulted prior to the visit being undertaken; whether any report was submitted to him in regard to it; whether His Majesty's Government contributed any portion of the expenses relating thereto; and whether, in view of the public statement made jointly by the three distinguished Church members of the delegation that their expenses were paid, he can give any indication of the source from which funds were obtained and whether they were provided by the Spanish Government?
§ Mr. EdenMy information is that this visit took place as the result of an invitation from the Spanish Government. The members of the party did not consult His Majesty's Government as to the desirability or otherwise of this invitation being accepted. They submitted no report to me. I have no information as to the source from which funds for the visit were obtained, but no portion of the expenses was contributed by His Majesty's Government.
§ Sir N. Grattan-DoyleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statements contained in that report have since been proved to be without foundation—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member seems to be giving information.
§ Sir N. Grattan-DoyleMay I finish my question?
§ Mr. SpeakerNot if it is a continuation of the information.
§ Sir N. Grattan-DoyleIt is not. Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that these statements have been repudiated by the Bishop of Gibraltar on behalf of the Anglican Church?
§ Sir William DavisonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Dean proposes to repeat these statements at a mass meeting in Strasbourg?
§ Sir N. Grattan-DoyleI beg to give notice that on account of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise this question on the Adjournment on the first available opportunity.
§ 10. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will 1735 give an assurance that any action agreed upon between Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy with regard to consultations and joint action in the event of further incidents off the coasts of Spain will be in accordance with the terms of the Kellogg Pact that the settlement or solution of disputes shall never be sought except by pacific means?
§ Mr. EdenHis Majesty's Government will certainly continue to bear in mind that the terms of the Pact of Paris are binding upon the four Governments referred to no less than upon the Spanish Government.
§ Mr. ManderHas any guarantee been asked of the German Government against any further invasion of Spain?
§ 12. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement concerning the progress of negotiations for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Spain?
§ Mr. EdenI have nothing at present to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on Wednesday last.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIf we understand that there is a scheme which is actually in existence, could the right hon. Gentleman tell us from what Powers opposition to its immediate application has come?
§ Mr. EdenFrom no Power. There is no opposition to its immediate application, but the hon. Gentleman will be aware of the difficulties which we are considering in connection with another matter.
§ Mr. ManderCan the right hon. Gentleman say anything about the statement that 300 Germans have recently returned from Spain to Germany?
§ Mr. MacquistenIs not the return of 23 British prisoners a partial repatriation of foreign troops from Spain?
§ 13. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information concerning recent despatches of Italian troops from Italy to Spain?
§ Mr. EdenNo reports have been received by the Non-Intervention Board 1736 regarding arrivals of Italian combatants in Spain since the system of observation of the Spanish frontiers came into force.
§ Miss WilkinsonDo we understand therefore that the gentlemen who have arrived in Spain have added to the already large numbers in Spain?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the right hon. Gentleman instruct his consular representatives to make the most careful reports on this matter?
§ Mr. EdenWe have got a patrol at work, most of which is being done in that area by His Majesty's ships.
§ Mr. DenvilleIs it considered fair that the right hon. Gentleman should be asked to give information to the Spanish Government on the movement of Franco's troops?
§ 18. Mr. Bellengerasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether an estimate of the cost of the damage to His Majesty's Ship "Hunter" has been prepared; and whether any pensions will be paid to the dependants of those who lost their lives in this tragedy?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Duff Cooper)As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my hon. and gallant Friend the Civil Lord to the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker). In answer to the second part of the question, deaths resulting from this occurrence are accepted as attributable to the Service, and pensions will accordingly be paid to all dependants who are entitled to receive them.
§ Mr. BellengerWill the whole of the pension cost fall on the British taxpayer, or will any claim be made in another quarter?
§ Mr. CooperThe hon. Member was informed yesterday that the question of claims on another quarter has not yet been taken up. We made a protest, and we await a reply to that protest. In the natural course of events, of course, all pensions for dependants will fall on the Exchequer.
§ Mr. BellengerIn view of that last statement, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the question of making a claim elsewhere is under consideration by His Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. CooperIt certainly will be considered in due course, but it is not under consideration at the present time. The matter has not yet reached that stage.
§ Miss WilkinsonHas the right hon. Gentleman not yet made any payment to the men who lost their baggage and other necessities in the explosion? I have received word from them that they have received no compensation whatsoever.
§ Mr. CooperThat hardly arises out of this question, but I will look into the matter.