HC Deb 31 May 1937 vol 324 cc654-7
10. Captain Cazalet

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement regarding the recent visit of Mr. Victor Hervey to Finland; whether any attempt was made by him to purchase arms or munitions on behalf of General Franco; what was the attitude of the Finnish officials in relation to this visit; and is he satisfied that no attempted breach of the Non-Intervention Agreement took place?

Mr. Eden

I understand that Mr. Hervey visited Finland with two other British subjects, the Marquess of Donegall and Mr. John Lonsdale, at the beginning of March, and that they established connections with certain officers of the Finnish army and with officials of the Finnish arms and munitions factories, declaring that they were buying arms for Brazil. I am glad to have the opportunity of saying that I am satisfied, as a result of inquiries which I have made; that, contrary to reports which have appeared in the Press, there is no evidence that Finnish officers gave any assistance to these gentlemen in obtaining arms for Spain under false pretences. When they were unable to produce any authorisation from the Brazilian Government for the purchase of arms in Finland, all negotiations with them were broken off. I regret that allegations against Finnish officials should have received publicity in this country.

13. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by the Non-Intervention Committee to prevent the flying of foreign aeroplanes into Spanish territory for use in the civil war?

Mr. Eden

I have no statement to make on this subject at present.

Mr. Henderson

Is not the Foreign Secretary aware that large numbers of foreign aeroplanes continue to arrive in Spain in order to assist General Franco? In view of the success of the British Government in preventing British aeroplanes being used in the civil war, is it not possible for such methods to be used in other countries?

Mr. Eden

I am conscious, as are other hon. Members, of the immense difficulties of this subject, with which I dealt fully in the Debate a little while ago. At the moment I cannot say any more about it.

Sir N. Stewart Sandeman rose

—

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Gentleman said that he could not say any more about it.

14. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, pending an agreement for the cessation of air bombing in the Spanish civil war, he will make representations to the German Government as to the desirability of its forthwith ordering all 'German aviators in Spain to refrain from bombing Bilbao and other open towns in its vicinity?

Mr. Eden

The International Committee is, I understand, meeting shortly to give final consideration to the text of an appeal to the two parties to abstain from the bombardment from the air, or by land or sea, of all open towns and villages and other objectives of a non-military character, and also to treat hostages and prisoners in accordance with humane principles. In the circumstances I do not think that any useful object would be served by representations of the character suggested.

Mr. Henderson

In view of the fact that His Majesty's Government made a direct representation to the German Government in regard to the arrangement of a possible armistice, is it not of extreme importance that something should be done at once, in view of what is taking place?

Mr. Eden

Not only the House, but the world, knows our views about the attacking of open towns. It is only a question of method, as the hon. Gentleman will appreciate.

15. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement concerning the evidence as to the intervention of Italian Government troops in the civil war in Spain which has recently been laid before the League of Nations by the Spanish Government?

Mr. Eden

The Spanish Government have published a volume containing evidence of this nature. I have seen a summary of the contents of this publication issued to the Press. The document itself is in Spanish and Italian. It will, of course, be carefully studied, but I have no statement to make on the subject.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Could the right hon. Gentleman have a translation made and a copy kept in the Library?

Mr. Eden

Translation may be a difficult question. The document is very voluminous. I will see whether something can be done to give the House as much information as possible.

16. Mr. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals His Majesty's Government have laid before the Non-Intervention Committee for the completion of the system of international control with a view to preventing disloyal transfer of shipping to the flag of either party to the Spanish civil war?

Mr. Eden

I understand that no British ships have been transferred to the Spanish flag within the last month, and His Majesty's Government have not found it necessary to make any proposals to the Non-Intervention Committee on the subject. I am not aware of the position regarding other foreign ships, but no evidence has been brought to my attention that such transfers have recently been occurring.

Mr. Attlee

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with regard to the incident which occurred between Spanish Government bombers and a German battleship off Iviza?

Mr. Eden

I understand that the German armoured ship "Deutschland" was bombed from the air whilst at anchor in Iviza Bay on 29th May and that a bomb exploded on the mess deck causing, I much regret to say, a large number of casualties. About 20 badly wounded naval ratings are being cared for in the military hospital at Gibraltar. I am not yet in receipt of full reports in regard to the incident, and I should prefer to make no further statement at present.

I have also received information from one of His Majesty's Ships that the German armoured ship "Admiral Scheer" bombarded Almeria from 6.30 to 7 a.m. to-day. In the course of an interview which I had with the German Chargé d'Affaires this morning, I asked him to represent to his Government the earnest hope of His Majesty's Government that the German Government would take no action such as would render the present grave situation graver still.

Mr. Attlee

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to ask for an inquiry by the League of Nations into the question of this incident, seeing that there is a dispute as to the origin of the attack, and whether the attack came from one side or the other; and in view of the grave circumstances that have arisen since, is not this a matter that should be handled by the League as soon as possible?

Mr. Eden

The right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I have only had a very short time to consider the circumstances, and I would rather not go further than what I have said.

Mr. Gallacher

Arising out of the original answer, and in view of the statement of the Foreign Secretary that he has information that bombs were dropped on the German battleship, are we to understand that he has had no information from the Spanish Government as to firing by the Germans at the aeroplanes?

Mr. Speaker

The right hon. Gentleman has already said that he has nothing further to say at the moment.

Mr. Gallacher

On a point of Order. The right hon. Gentleman opened by saying that he had information that bombs have been dropped on the battleship. Surely, I am entitled to ask whether he has any information about the battleship firing at the aeroplanes, in view of the public statements that have been issued?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member is entitled to ask, but it does not follow that the right hon. Gentleman is called upon to answer it.