§ Mr. Noel-Baker(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement concerning the arrival of Italian troops in Malaga and other Spanish ports?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)I have been in touch with the International Board for Non-Intervention, and I understand that they have received no information whatever to confirm this report in respect of Malaga or any other Spanish port. I would add that His Majesty's ships, to whom the patrol duties in the Malaga area have been assigned, have made no report tending to show that any such development has occurred.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIn view of the reliability of the sources from which this information was obtained—[HON. MEMBERS: "What sources?"]—and, in view of the great gravity of the matter, will the Foreign Secretary use all the means in his power to discover the facts and publish the full truth to the world?
§ Mr. EdenThis morning, as soon as I received the hon. Gentleman's question, I at once got into touch with the International Board, whose duty it is to carry out this supervision. We have had these reports before of late and they have not been confirmed in respect of the movement of troops, and I have every hope that this report is false also.
§ Sir H. CroftIs it not the fact that on seven different occasions similar charges have been made which are harmful to international peace and security?
§ Mr. Attlee(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make on the Spanish situation.
§ Mr. EdenI have no material developments to report to the House since the statement which I made yesterday.
§ Mr. AttleeMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can give us any information with regard to the statements about the movement of German war vessels?
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir. I would like to suggest to the House that the reports of German ship movements eastwards in the Mediterranean should be received with great reserve. The official information, I am informed, which has been received by the Admiralty does not confirm them.
§ Sir Joseph LambWill not my right hon. Friend consider some means whereby those responsible for statements issued by the Press of this nature, which are proved not to be true, can be penalised in some way?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs it not the fact that the journalists working in Spain have proved to be accurate from the beginning of the war?
§ Sir Archibald SinclairDoes not this dispute about the facts prove the desirability of referring the question to the League of Nations and having a Commission of Investigation sent there to ascertain the facts impartially?