§ 58. Mr. Grenfellasked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the situation in Spain?
§ The Prime MinisterGeneral Franco's forces have made a further advance on the Aragon front, which, as the House is aware, has resulted in the severance of land communication between Catalonia and the rest of Government Spain. The British Agent at Burgos has been promised particulars of such British members of the International Brigade as have been taken prisoners. A further meeting of the Chairman's Sub-Committee of the Non-Intervention Committee was held on 25th April to consider the financial position of the Committee. The Secretary explained that, as a result of the Soviet Government having stopped payments since September, 1937, other Governments had also ceased contributing, and that unless £80,000 were received by the end of the month it would be necessary for the Non-Intervention Board to wind up its whole organisation. The Soviet representative stated that his Government maintained their refusal to continue their contribution, at any rate 30 until the withdrawal of foreign volunteers had become a reality. The United Kingdom, Italian and German representatives, however, informed the Sub-Committee that their respective Governments were prepared to make the payments which were in arrears up to 8th December last. The subscription of the French Government has already been paid. I am glad to say that these undertakings enable the Non-Intervention Board and the observation scheme to remain in being. The representatives on the Sub-Committee further undertook to ask their respective Governments for instructions about the resumption of regular monthly payments. Finally, a further sum of £4,000 was authorised to be applied by the Board for the purpose of studying technical questions connected with the plan for the withdrawal of foreign volunteers from Spain.
§ Mr. GrenfellWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether His Majesty's Government are effectively in contact with both sides in Spain, whether any steps are being taken to safeguard the lives of non-combatants—the civilian population—and whether in the event of a breakdown of the defence on the Government side this country will have any influence in safeguarding the lives of the people on that side?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have special representatives in touch with both sides in Spain. As the hon. Member knows, His Majesty's Government have done all they possibly could from the beginning of this conflict to assist in saving the lives of non-combatants.—
§ Miss WilkinsonOnly on Franco's side.
§ The Prime Minister—on both sides, and have met with considerable success, and we shall continue to use our best endeavours to continue with that work, and I hope that we may be as successful in the future as we have been in the past.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Prime Minister aware that very great injury can be done to the international position of this country by allowing it to be trailed behind Germany and Italy—
§ Mr. Gallacher—in maintaining this unspeakable farce of non-intervention?