§ 2. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British ships are now held prisoner in ports under the control of General Franco, and for how long they have been detained in custody; whether any satisfactory reply has been received to British protests lodged concerning these ships; and what steps it is proposed to take to prevent future arrests of British ships on the high seas?
§ Viscount CranborneThe following British ships have been recently captured and detained in ports under the control of General Franco:
As a result of representations made by His Majesty's Ambassador at Hendaye, the Nationalist authorities stated on 31st October that orders had been issued for the release of all these vessels. I understand that the "Seven Seas Spray" and the "Stanwold" have already left, and His Majesty's Government are confident that the orders for the release of the remaining vessels will soon be carried out.
- 1. The steamship "Mirupanu," captured on 24th July.
- 2. The steamship "Caper," captured on 10th August.
- 3. The steamship "Seven Seas Spray," captured on 1st September.
- 4. The steamship "Stanwold," captured on 8th September.
- 5. The steamship "Bobie," captured on 3rd October.
- 6. The steamship "Dover Abbey," captured on 5th October.
- 7. The steamship "Yorkbrook," captured on 5th October.
§ Mr. GallacherIn view of the fact that these were deliberate acts of piracy, will the Government claim compensation for the detention of those ships?
§ Viscount CranborneI should like notice of that question.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan we have an assurance that the seamen of the vessels have been in receipt of pay and that their dependants have been properly cared for?
§ Viscount CranborneI should like notice of that question also.
§ Sir Percy HarrisHas it been alleged that these ships were carrying munitions; if not, what justification can there be for detaining them?
§ Viscount CranborneI am afraid I must ask for notice of that question also. I think the opinion of the House will be that this is an exceedingly satisfactory answer that these ships are to be released.
§ Mr. BennIf the Government wish to obtain compensation for these men and ships, why do they not proceed against the property which the Franco party has in this country?
§ Colonel WedgwoodMay I ask the Noble Lord—
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
§ Colonel WedgwoodMay we not know more about the release of these ships?
§ Mr. SpeakerThere are many Questions on the Paper, and we cannot go on any longer asking supplementary questions on this subject.
§ 6. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement in reference to the position of the Asturian refugees; and what efforts have been made to assist their evacuation?
§ Viscount CranborneThe hon. Member will recall that the Prime Minister stated in the House on 21st October that some 30,000 refugees from the Asturias were removed in British ships under the protection of the British flag prior to the fall of Gijon. As the whole of the Asturian coast is now under the control of the insurgent authorities, it is naturally now impossible to arrange for any further evacuations except with the latter's consent. At the same time His Majesty's Government are always ready to use their good offices whenever it seems possible that humanitarian ends may be served by an approach to the two parties to the conflict.
§ Mr. GriffithsHas the Noble Lord any information as to the way in which prisoners are being treated by General Franco's army?
§ Viscount CranborneThere is a question about that on the Paper later on.
§ 12. Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the figures of exports of foodstuffs and munitions, 893 respectively, from Germany and Italy to Spanish territory under the control of General Franco during the past 12 months?
§ Viscount CranborneI regret to say that the statistics available do not enable these figures to be established.
§ Mr. ShinwellDo we understand from that answer that it is possible to obtain the figures of Soviet exports to Spain and yet it is not possible to obtain the figures of German and Italian exports?
§ Viscount CranborneThe figures given by my right hon. Friend in the House for Soviet exports were given by the Soviet Government and published in the English Press. The figures which may be available for German and Italian exports are of a very general character, and therefore I could not draw from them any detailed conclusions that I could give to the House.
§ Mr. ShinwellAre we to understand from that answer, and from the inability of the Noble Lord to obtain statistics on this matter, that it is not clear whether the exports from Soviet Russia to Spain are higher or lower than the exports from Germany and Italy to that country?
§ Viscount CranborneThe hon. Gentleman can draw from my answer exactly what is in the answer.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs it fair that the Noble Lord's right hon. Friend should use the argument that he does in relation to Soviet Russia, in face of their inability to obtain the other figures?
§ Viscount CranborneMy right hon. Friend uses any accurate information that he has.
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsDoes my Noble Friend experience any difficulty in getting information with regard to trade statistics from Nationalist Spain on account of the fact that this Government does not recognise the Government of that territory?
14. Mr. Edmund Harveyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has been received from General Franco to the appeal for mercy to civilian and military prisoners made to him by the British and French Governments; and whether further representations will be made on behalf of His Majesty's Government with this object in view?
§ Viscount CranborneThe House will be aware that on 20th October His Majesty's Government made a communication through His Majesty's Ambassador at Hendaye to the Salamanca authorities urging clemency in their treatment of prisoners. I am glad to say that in reply the insurgent authorities indicated on 22nd October that clemency would be shown in the areas occupied.
Miss RathboneIs the Noble Lord aware that, according to a special correspondent of the "Sunday Times," the standard for the death penalty in these conquered territories is combatant or noncombatant officers who have held any kind of office under the Republican Government; and, in view of that information, will he take steps to get an impartial, independent report of exactly what is happening in the trials of prisoners in the conquered territories?
§ Viscount CranborneThat is really a different subject. I was asked whether any reply had been received, and I have given the reply that has been received.
§ Mr. KirkwoodThe fact that Mr. Speaker allowed it to be asked is sufficient justification for a reply.
§ 21. Mr. H. G. Williamsasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make in respect of the alleged attack on His Majesty's ship "Basilisk"?
§ 26. Mr. Thurtleasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, in view of the fact that the officer in command of His Majesty's destroyer "Basilisk" reported that his ship had been attacked by a submarine off the east coast of Spain recently and subsequently reported that no such attack had taken place, whether he will give the reason or reasons which caused the officer in question to change his mind in this way regarding the reality of the attack?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Duff Cooper)While His Majesty's ships "Basilisk" and "Boreas" were patrolling 15 miles off Cape San Antonia, at about 9 a.m. on 4th October, a track resembling that of a torpedo was seen from the "Basilisk," approaching the ship. A depth charge attack was immediately carried out by the 895 "Basilisk." The "Basilisk" and "Boreas" then proceeded to search fox the submarine whose presence was sus-spected, being joined later by five other destroyers and a flying boat. No submarine was discovered. On the return of the "Basilisk" and "Boreas" to Gibraltar on 7th October the incident was investigated by the senior naval officer, and after full consideration of all the evidence it was decided that a mistake had been made and that no submarine had in fact been present at the time of the supposed attack. An announcement was, therefore, made to this effect.
§ Mr. ThurtleWas it not possible for a submarine to be actually at this spot although it was not discovered by these five warships? Why did they come to the conclusion that a submarine was not there?
§ Mr. CooperI do not think it would be desirable to go into all the evidence, but it was considered by the Commander of Destroyers and by the Senior Naval Officer on the spot, as the result of the complete investigation—there was no prejudice in either direction—that, as a matter of fact, a submarine was not present.
§ Mr. ThurtleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has been suggested that in fact a submarine was destroyed, but, to avoid international complications, this was glossed over?
§ Mr. CooperI can assure the hon. Member that there is no truth whatever in that suggestion.
§ Mr. GallacherWhere did the torpedo come from?