§ 11. Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the bombing of Pamplona a few days ago by Spanish republican aeroplanes; and whether the aeroplanes passed over French territory?
§ Mr. EdenI am aware that reports to this effect have appeared in the Spanish insurgent Press, but I have no means of verifying them.
§ Sir A. KnoxHas not Salamanca said officially that 10 French planes crossed the frontier and bombed Pamplona., which is far from the frontier, and returned by the same route?
§ Mr. ThurtleAre not reports from Salamanca notoriously untrustworthy?
§ 16. Major Raynerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government, in pursuance of their objective of strengthening and broadening the basis of the collective system, will take steps at Geneva to see that representations, made on behalf of 834 that part of the Spanish people whose government has not yet been accorded recognition by the League of Nations, receive fair consideration?
§ Mr. EdenI am not aware of any steps which it would be open for His Majesty's Government to take with the object referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ 20. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to an official communiqué issued by General Franco's headquarters claiming that the recent exchange of missions is not a recognition of belligerency, but that the conclusion of this agreement implies recognition of sovereignty; and whether he can make a statement?
§ Mr. EdenMy attention has been called to the communique in question, but I am unable to find any phrase therein which might be interpreted as claiming that the agreement implies recognition of sovereignty.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMay we take it that the Government do not accept any suggestion of that kind?
§ 27. Mr. W. Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information has been received as to dangers to British merchant shipping off the coast of Valencia that has made it necessary to advise British ships to avoid that area?
§ Mr. EdenBritish ships have not been advised to avoid the area referred to by the hon. Member; but:, as the result of an Insurgent broadcast on 7th November to the effect that mining operations between Cape San Antonio and Cape Tortosa would be intensified, masters of British vessels were advised to exercise special care in the approaches to ports between those points.
§ Miss WilkinsonAre we to understand from that reply that anything Salamanca chooses to radio is immediately accepted as the fact by His Majesty's Government, and that in that way ports can, in fact, be closed to British shipping?
§ Mr. EdenI said nothing of the kind. If we hear reports which may endanger British shipping, it is only right that we should warn them of the danger.
§ Miss WilkinsonIs it made perfectly clear that they come from Salamanca?
§ Mr. EdenThe authority is always quoted, but it is only right that the information should be passed on.
§ Mr. W. RobertsCan the Foreign Secretary tell the House whether he has any corroborative evidence from the British Navy or other sources as to the existence of such mines?
§ Mr. EdenI think that that is not altogether a question for me, but I can say that at least four British ships are known to have entered ports within this area recently.
§ Miss WilkinsonWithout any warning?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the right hon. Gentleman ask the Admiralty to give instructions to the Navy to verify these reports as soon as possible?
§ Sir Archibald SinclairIs it quite clear that full protection is being given to British ships carrying food up to the three-mile limit?
§ Mr. EdenWith all respect to the right hon. Gentleman, that is quite a different question, but certainly such protection is being given.